During the 4th session of the Human Rights Council, one key event was the launching of the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. They affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply.

Available in different languages (also translated into Portuguese and launched in a series of events in Brazil), the Yogyakarta Principles were developed and unanimously adopted by a distinguished group of human rights experts, from diverse regions and backgrounds, including judges, academics, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Special Procedures, members of treaty bodies, NGOs and others.

These set of principles provide evidence to show that human rights violations targeted toward persons because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity constitute an entrenched global pattern of serious concern. They are principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

- Read The Yogyakarta Principles
- Read The Yogyakarta Principles in Portuguese

Read also:

- The summary of the Yogyakarta Principles Working Group meeting, held in Los Angeles, California, during the International Global Arc of Justice Conference, in March 11-12, 2009.

- The report Surveying the knowledge and use of the Yogyakarta principles in Brazil - by the SPW Secretariat in Brazil

- The role of the Yogyakarta Principles - by Professor Douglas Sanders

- Two Novembers Movements, Rights, and the Yogyakarta Principles - by Scott Long

- The Yogyakarta Principles - by Daniel Sarmento

- Considerations about the Principles - by Mauro Cabral

- Check the video produced by SPW about the Principles

- Lauching of Yogyakarta Principles in Brazil

- Launching of Yogyakarta Principles in NY