Session
Source of Reference
State under Review
Recommendation
Following upon the recommendation made in 2013 and 2018, take urgent measures to repeal the rules that sanction and discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, as well as investigate and punish perpetrators of acts of discrimination and violence against them.
Explanation
Noted. Tonga received 16 recommendations in relation to this area encouraging Tonga to decriminalize same sex relationships. However, Tonga currently retains its position in the first UPR Report which stated that “whilst current laws might criminalize certain consensual sexual conduct, Tonga is a Christian society that believes in tolerance and respect across difference. A respect for difference allows the widest margins of appreciation to lawmakers as well as other stakeholders and encourages robust debate about equality within society."
Reference type
Response