The creation of an international expert ...

The United Nations Human Rights Council has announced its "first ever independent expert focused on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)."  The appointee is Vitit Muntarbhorn, a law professor from Thailand, and he will serve in this capacity for the next three years.  "Professor Muntarbhorn will be tasked with raising awareness about the violence and discrimination LGBT people face globally."

Reportedly, Mr Muntarbhorn has experience working in international human rights, but nowhere in the press release or in Google searches is it apparent how Mr Muntarbhorn is qualified as an expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, nor what criteria would define someone as an expert in these areas.  Mind you, the UNHRC statement about the resolution to create this position is telling:  "The positive vote responds to a joint campaign of a record 628 nongovernmental organizations from 151 countries calling on the Human Rights Council to adopt the resolution and create the independent expert."  The wording implies they created the person rather than the position.  Further:

"The expert will be tasked with assessing implementation of existing international human rights law, identifying best practices and gaps, raising awareness of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, engaging in dialogue and consultation with states and other stakeholders, and facilitating provision of advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building, and cooperation to help address violence and discrimination on these grounds."

Certainly, I endorse freedom from violence and discrimination for every person, but it remains to be seen how this language will be implemented.  More shared gender neutral bathrooms?