Section 377 Verdict: United Nations calls first step towards full fundamental rights to LGBT

September 6 will always be remembered as a historic day as the Supreme Court of India decriminalised the homosexuality and quashed section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) a colonial-era provision that penalises consensual sex act between two adults.

The Supreme Court of India in its Section 377 verdict said, “Sustenance of identity is the pyramid of life and called the  abolished section 377 is irrational, arbitrary and incomprehensible.”

Since the Supreme Court’s verdict on section 377 was delivered, jubilant LGBT rights activist and Bollywood fraternity also celebrated the historic judgment. They took to Twitter to share their happiness and feeling with crores of people.

Apart from these politicians, activists who are celebrating the 377 section verdict, the United Nations has also issued a statement welcoming the judgement and said, “It is first step towards ensuring full fundamental rights to LGBT people.”

Here is What United Nation has to say about the section 377 verdict

“The United Nations in India welcomes the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of India striking down a key component of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalized specific sexual acts between adults, a law dating back to British colonial rule that has targeted in particular lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and communities.”

Also read: Bollywood reacts to Section 377 verdict

Sexual orientation and gender expression form an integral part of an individual’s identity the world over, and violence, stigma and discrimination based on these attributes constitute an egregious violation of human rights. LGBTI persons across the world continue to be the targets of violent attacks and are affected by multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and social status.

UN hopes this judgement will be the first step towards full fundamental rights to LGBT

“The UN in India sincerely hopes that the court’s ruling will be the first step towards guaranteeing the full range of fundamental rights to LGBTI persons. We also hope that the judgment will boost efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination against LGBTI persons in all areas of social, economic, cultural and political activity, thereby ensuring a truly inclusive society. The focus must now be on ensuring access to justice, including remedy; effective investigations of acts of violence and discrimination; and effective access to economic, social and cultural rights.”

Also read: Section 377 Verdict: Politicians, activists welcome SC judgement