Brazil joins the Group of Friends of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

On International LGBTQIA+ Pride Day, Brazil announces its membership in the Group of Friends of the Independent Expert mandate on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE-SOGI) at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Group, established in 2021, has a membership of 35 countries, with representation from all five regional groups of UN member states.

The Independent Expert mandate serves as the main mechanism in the international human rights system for promoting and protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. Brazil has supported the mandate since its creation in 2016, and in 2025 will advocate for its reappointment.

Brazil defends the promotion and defense of LGBTQIA+ rights in international forums, recognizing that the human rights of LGBTQIA+ people reflects the application of the principle of equality to the exercise of consecrated human rights and the combat against all and any form of discrimination.

At the UN Human Rights Council, through the Universal Periodic Review, Brazil has made recommendations to countries that still criminalize same-sex relationships and prohibit manifestations of gender identity to repeal these criminal typifications and adopt broad anti-discrimination legislation.

Brazil's entry into the IE-SOGI Group of Friends occurred in the context of the participation of the National Secretary for the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People, from the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, Symmy Larrat, in the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council, which included dialogue with the current SOGI Independent Expert, jurist Victor Madrigal-Borloz, last June 21.