Economic Social Cuturla Rights of LGBT in Iran
This shadow report is submitted to the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (hereinafter “CESCR” or “the Committee”) on the occasion of its 50th Session (29 April – 17 May 2013) by Global Initiative for Sexuality and Human Rights of the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, Iranian Queer Organization, and International Human Rights Clinic of the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, in order to elaborate the violations of the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (hereinafter “ICESCR”) committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran (hereinafter “Iran”) against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (hereinafter “LGBT”) individuals.
Iran is a State party to the ICESCR, which it ratified on June 24, 1975.2 In accordance with Article 9 of the Civil Code of Iran, international treaties which Iran has concluded are legally binding upon it,3 and therefore, Iran is under the obligation to enforce the rights of individuals under the ICESCR. Despite its obligation, Iran has failed to take measures to protect the rights of LGBT individuals as stipulated under the ICESCR, and on numerous occasions, it has also acted in violation of the Covenant.