March 7: Nations from the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation and the African Union walked out of the UN Human Rights Council panel discussion on violence and discrimination against LGBTI people in which a report from the High Commissioner on Human Rights documenting discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender variance was presented.

The High Commissioner, Navi Pillay told the council that violence against LGBT people is found in all regions, and is often perpetrated with the complicity of the State.

Pakistan, speaking for Islamic states argued that homosexuality constituted ‘licentious behaviour’ unacceptable to Islamic States, whilst Senegal speaking on behalf of the majority of the Member States of the African Group argued for religion and culture to be respected in considering human rights.