Explanation of Vote by a U.S. Advisor of the Amendment to Remove the Term "Sexual Orientation" from the Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Resolution (A/C.3/65/L.29), Third Committee

U.S Advisor

New York, NY

November 16, 2010

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Chairman,

The United States strongly opposes this amendment. We believe this resolution can and should condemn killings of individuals based on their sexual orientation and urge States to investigate them. This resolution addresses extrajudicial killings of several vulnerable groups, and it is undeniable that members of the LGBT community have been targeted for death because of their sexual orientation. We urge all states to join us and the cosponsors of the resolution in voting against this amendment.

###