New Delhi: United Nations on Thursday lauded the Supreme Court for striking down a 'key component' of IPC's Section 377 which criminalises 'specific sexual acts between adults' and said the judgment will boost efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination against LGBTI persons.
It also hoped the ruling will be the first step towards guaranteeing the full range of fundamental rights to LGBT persons.
Sexual orientation and gender expression form an integral part of an individual's identity the world over, and violence, stigma and discrimination based on these attributes constitute an 'egregious' violation of human rights, a statement issued by the UN said.
LGBTI persons across the world continue to be the targets of violent attacks and are affected by multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and social status, the statement added.
"The UN sincerely hopes that the court's ruling will be the first step towards guaranteeing the full range of fundamental rights to LGBTI persons. We also hope that the judgment will boost efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination against LGBT persons in all areas of social, economic, cultural and political activity, thereby ensuring a truly inclusive society. The focus must now be on ensuring access to justice, including remedy; effective investigations of acts of violence and discrimination; and effective access to economic, social and cultural rights," the organisation said.