The 47-member Human Rights Council passed the resolution – “The question of the death penalty” last week, with 27 States voting in favour, 13 against and 7 abstentions.

Asian countries Bangladesh, China, India, and Japan joined Botswana, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States in voting against.

“It is unconscionable to think that there are hundreds of millions of people living in States where somebody may be executed simply because of whom they love” said Renato Sabbadini, Executive Director of The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).

“This is a monumental moment where the international community has publicly highlighted that these horrific laws simply must end.”

The Human Rights Council resolution asked countries in which the death penalty is legal to ensure that it is not applied "arbitrarily or in a discriminatory manner" or imposed against those under the age of 18, pregnant women, or for adultery, blasphemy and consensual same-sex relations.

There are currently six countries where the death penalty is used to punish same-sex relations: Iran, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Sudan. People in ISIS-controlled areas of Iraq and Syria are also at risk.