Update: A White House National Security Council spokesperson explained why the U.S. made its decision to vote against the death penalty condemnation. “The United States unequivocally condemns the application of the death penalty for homosexuality, blasphemy,adultery and apostasy,” they said. “As in years past, we voted against this resolution because of broader concerns with the resolution’s approach to condemning the death penalty in all circumstances.”
The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a measure to condemn the death penalty for gay individuals. The United States was among 13 countries who voted against it.