Geneva: Gays and lesbians need more support to protect their rights, even if homosexuality raises cultural issues in some parts of the world, the UN chief said.
"We must reject persecution of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"Cultural practice cannot justify any violation of human rights," Ban insisted, addressing the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
He said women were often treated as "second class citizens" sometimes justified as a so-called cultural practice. He noted that racism was often justified under a similar pretext.
"But that is merely an excuse. When our fellow human beings are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, we must speak out," Ban told the UN's top human rights forum.
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