UN May Lose LGBT Rights Watchdog After Assembly Vote

An upcoming vote as many at the United Nations confused about the future of an independent expert with the international group who oversees LGBT rights issues throughout the globe.

On Tuesday the General Assembly plans to vote on a resolution that would "defer consideration" of the watchdog position approved by the Human Rights Council, reports BuzzFeed. The Human Rights Council has already chosen law professor and diplomat Vitit Muntarbhorn for the role.

It is unusual for the assembly to vote on appointments by the Human Rights Council. The resolution was brought by Sierra Leone and the Group of African States.

The challenge comes as the UN has scrutinized more and more the role member countries play in protecting LGBT rights. During this year's conference, outgoing Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that "there is no room in our 21st century for discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity."