The United States was one of just 13 countries to vote against a United Nations resolution condemning the death penalty for having gay sex. 

Although the vote passed, America joined countries such as China, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in opposing the move.

The US also supported two failed amendments put forward by Russia, which stated the death penalty was not necessarily “a human rights violation” and that it is not a form of torture, but can lead to it “in some cases”. And it abstained on a “sovereignty amendment” put forward by Saudi Arabia, that stated “the right of all countries to develop their own laws and penalties”.

Despite the opposition, the vote in Geneva passed with 27 of the 47-member Human Rights Council in favor. 

There are currently six countries where the death penalty is used for people in same-sex relationships: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia. This number rises to eight if the Isis-occupied territories of Iraq and Syria are included.