June 17, 2011, this date will be remembered as an historic day for gay communities around the world. The Human Rights Council of the United Nations, in fact, approved a resolution that affirms the equality of rights regardless of sexual orientation. The proposal, passed with 23 votes in favor, 19 against and 3 abstentions, was presented by South Africa and strongly supported by the United States. The Council also requested to initiate an ad hoc inquiry on discriminatory laws and violence against people based on their sexual orientation. In fact, even though gay rights are guaranteed by various international conventions, about 76 states continue to consider them guilty of a crime that can be subject to real penalties ranging from imprisonment, life imprisonment to the death penalty .The resolution, should not be approved by the General Assembly. Which means that from now, countries have the political responsibility, but not the legal obligation to follow the instructions contained in it.
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