The Holy See appreciates the "Declaration on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity", presented at the UN General Assembly on 18 December 2008 on the initiative of the French Presidency, but wants to clarify its position. As written in a statement released this morning by the Holy See Press Office, "the Holy See appreciates the attempts made in the Declaration on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity" to "condemn all forms of violence against homosexual persons as well as urge States to take necessary measures to put an end to all criminal penalties against them." Then the Holy See adds and makes clear that "At the same time, the Holy See notes that the wording of this Declaration goes well beyond the abovementioned and shared intent. In particular, the categories ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’, used in the text, find no recognition or clear and agreed definition in international law. If they had to be taken into consideration in the proclaiming and implementing of fundamental rights, these would create serious uncertainty in the law as well as undermine the ability of States to enter into and enforce new and existing human rights conventions and standards."” “
