UN Human Rights Council 44: Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered this statement during the interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Thank you, Madam President,
The United Kingdom underlines its support for the work of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. We welcome the report on the practices of “so called Conversion Therapy” by Mr Madrigal-Borloz to the Council.
The UK Government agrees that efforts to end the barbaric practice of Conversion Therapy should be a priority for all States. In 2017, the UK launched a major national survey to gather information about the experiences of its LGBT people. More than 108,000 people responded. In 2018, we published a comprehensive LGBT Action Plan setting out the Government’s response to those findings. One area of particular concern was that 5% of respondents had been offered conversion or reparative therapy to “cure” them of being LGBT; 2% had actually undergone it. The UK Government regards all of these practices as abusive and harmful. We are considering proposals to end these practices for good in the UK, as clearly set out in the UK’s 2018 LGBT Action Plan.
We would welcome suggestions from the Independent Expert on how States can take practical steps to end Conversion Therapy everywhere.
Thank you.