Brooklyn College – City University of New York

Published purpose

The project aims to promote gender equality and social inclusion of women, and sexual orientation and gender identity minorities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. This is done by addressing injustices, conflicts, tensions and human rights violations associated with freedom of religious belief. Through stakeholder workshops, the project facilitates exchanges between the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council) and a range of other relevant special procedure mandate holders (independent experts) to advance the protection of the rights of women, and of sexual orientation and gender identity minorities. Special procedures are a central element of the United Nations human rights system that is implemented by independent experts (mandate holders) who report and advise on human rights issues.