Sexual orientation must be included in resolution on extrajucial executions

On 16 November 2010, Morocco and Mali, on behalf of African and Islamic (OIC) states, introduced an amendment to the General Assembly resolution condemning extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions and other killings deleting specific reference to killings due to sexual orientation.  This is a retrogressive step following the inclusion of this reference in the 2008 resolution.  While continuing to specify killings for racial, national, ethnic, religious or linguistic reasons and of refugees, indigenous people and other groups, the amendment to the 2010 resolution has replaced mention of sexual orientation with 'discriminatory reasons on any basis'.  The amendment passed 79-70 and is expected to be formally adopted by the General Assembly next month.