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Posts Tagged ‘Oral Statement’:

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September 22, 2017

Joint Statement on Access to Safe and Legal Abortion Globally

HRC36: General Debate Item 8
25 September 2017

Click here for French and Spanish translations

Statement begins at 42:17

Joint statement on behalf of Action Canada for Population and Development; Federation for Women and Family Planning; Center for Reproductive Rights; Ipas; ActionAid; Advocates for Youth; ARC International (Allied Rainbow Communities International); Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW); Asociación Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana “Profamilia”; Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID); Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network; Catholics for Choice; Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL); Centre for Health and Social Justice; Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS); Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN); Ekta Resource Centre for Women; EngenderHealth; European Humanist Federation; European Women’s Lobby; European Youth Forum; Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie van Homoseksualiteit – COC Nederland; FOKUS – Forum for Women and Development Norway; Fundacion para Estudio e Investigacion de la Mujer (FEIM); Generation Initiative for Women and Youth Network (GIWYN); Girls To Mothers’ Initiative; Global Fund for Women; Global Justice Center; International Commission of Jurists; International Federation for Human Right Leagues (FIDH); The International HIV/AIDS Alliance; International Humanist and Ethical Union; International Lesbian and Gay Association; International Planned Parenthood Federation; International Planned Parenthood Federation South Asia Region Office; International Service for Human Rights; International Women’s Health Coalition; Italian Association for Women in Development (AIDOS); Manusher Jonno Foundation; Marie Stopes International; Médecins du Monde – France; New Zealand Family Planning Association; Oxfam; Pathfinder International; The Population Council; PROMSEX, Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos; Rutgers; Shalupe Foundation; Simavi; Social Charitable Center Women and Modern World; Sonke Gender Justice; Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU); Sukaar Welfare Organization Pakistan; Union Women Center; Womankind Worldwide; Women Enabled International; Women for Women’s Human Rights – New Ways; Women International Democratic Federation; Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights; Women’s Rights Center NGO Armenia; World YWCA; and Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights.[i]

Mr. President,

It is my honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 285 organisations from around the world.

Through the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, States explicitly agreed to prioritize the human rights of women, including the eradication of gender-based discrimination and violence. However, many States have not yet made the important decision that women’s human rights deserve to be upheld and their lives are worth saving. The continued criminalization of abortion and restrictions on access to and provision of abortion and post-abortion care in many jurisdictions is stark evidence of this.

Around 22 million unsafe abortions are estimated to take place around the world annually[ii], leading to 7 million health complications[iii] and 47,000 deaths[iv]. In addition, there are major social and financial costs to women and girls, families, communities, health systems and economies. The criminalization of abortion and failure to ensure access to quality abortion services is a violation of the rights to non-discrimination, to privacy, and to make decisions about one’s own body, and can constitute torture or ill-treatment, as repeatedly highlighted by UN bodies and experts.[v] Prohibiting abortion pushes it underground and gives rise to unsafe abortions, violating the rights to life, health and bodily autonomy. Moreover, the poor and those already facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination are disproportionately affected, making the global community’s pledge to “leave no one behind” ring hollow.

These human rights violations must stop now. On September 28, the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, we urge the Human Rights Council to address the human rights violations arising from criminalization of abortion and the denial of access to safe and legal abortion services through its resolutions, decisions, dialogues, debates, and the UPR. We demand in a collective voice that governments across the world respect, protect and fulfill the right to access safe and legal abortion services and post-abortion care.

Thank you, Mr. President.


[i] This statement is joined by the following organisations and groups not in consultative status with ECOSOC: Akahatá Equipo de Trabajo en Sexualidades y Generos, Coalition of African Lesbians, CREA, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights; A.L.E.G. _ Association for Liberty and Equality of Gender; Activista independiente; African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA); Agrupacion Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto – El Salvador; Aidsfonds; AJWS; Aliance for Choice; Alianza por la Solidaridad; Alliance of solidarity for the family; Articulacion Feminista Marcosur; Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (APA); Asociación Ciudadana ACCEDER; Asociación de Mujeres por la Dignidad y la Vida – LAS DIGNAS; Asociación Médica Privada Voluntaria Winay; Asociación Movimiento Salvadoreño de Mujeres MSM; Association de Lutte contre les Violences faites aux Femmes; Association HERA-XXI Georgia; Associazione Luca Coscioni per la libertà di ricerca scientifica; ASTRA Network; ASTRA Youth; Atria – Institute for Gender Equality and Women’s History; Balance- Mexico; Bangladesh Model Youth Parliament; Cairo Foundation for Development and law; Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir – Chile; Catolicas Por el Derecho a Decidir Perú; Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir – Bolivia; CEDES (Center for the Study of State and Society); Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health – Tanadgoma; Center for the Study of Democracy; Centre d’Action Laïque; Centre de Communication et de Développement de l’Entreprise (CCDE) – Département de la promotion de l’autonomisation de la femme en Afrique; Centre for Gender, Feminisms and Sexualities, University College Dublin, Ireland; Centre for Secular Space; Centre Kurde des Droits de l’Homme; Centre Ombre des Femmes du Burundi; Centro de Apoyo y Protección de los Derechos Humanos SURKUNA; Centro de Atención Integral a la Pareja, A. C.; Centro de Derechos de Mujeres; CESI – Center for Education, Counselling and Research; CHOICE for Youth & Sexuality; CLACAI; Cladem; COADY International Institute, Canada; Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment; Colectivo Ovejas Negras; Community and Family Aid Foundation-Ghana; Community Safety and Mediation Center; Concern for Children and Environment – CONCERN Nepal; Consorcio Latinoamericano Contra el Aborto Inseguro; Contra Nocendi International; Corporacion Miles Chile; Costa Rica Afro; Creative and Innovation Business Incubation Center (Association CICIA); CSBR – Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies; Danish Family Planning Association; DareGender; Dartmouth College; DeGenerar; Discover Football; Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality, Fiji; ECIS – Educación, Clínica e Investigación en Sexualidad; El Colegio de México; Equal Ground, Sri Lanka; Essex Feminist Collective; Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS; Family Planning and Sexual Health Association; Family Planning NSW; Fédération nationale GAMS; Feminist Solutions towards Global Justice (FemJust); FILIA Centre; Forum de la Femme Menagere – FORFEM; FRONT Association; Fundación Arcoiris. Mexico; Fundación CulturaSalud/EME; Fundacion de la mano contigo; FUNDACION DE MUJERES LUNA CRECIENTE; Fundación ESAR; Fundación Oriéntame; Fundacion Sendas; Fundatia Corona; Gateway Health Institute; Gender Violence Institute; Global Doctors for Choice; Good and Useful Ltd; Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD); GreeneWorks; Grupo Curumim – Gestação e Parto; Gynuity Health Projects; Hábitat Mujer Salud; Haiyya Foundation; Health Development Initiative (HDI)-Rwanda; Hidden Pockets; Human rights and civic participation association PaRiter; Human Rights in Childbirth; ICRH-Mozambique; IGLYO – The international lgbtqi youth and student organization; Iniciativas Sanitarias Uruguay; Institute of Health Management, Pachod; Institute of Human Rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON); Inter Pares; International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion; International Gender Equality, SOCITSHOPO (Coordination Civil Society of the DRC Tshopo); International Youth Alliance for Family Planning; Irish Council for Civil Liberties; Irish Family Planning Association; Jamia Millia Islamia University; KOGS; La Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres; Legal hub consultants; London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign; Love Matters India; MARIA Abortion Fund for Social Justice; Marie Stopes México; MDF Training & Consultancy; Men’s Association for Gender Equality Sierra Leone (MAGE SL); Men’s Story Project; MenEngage Africa; MenEngage Global Alliance; MenEngage Initiative Uganda; MenEngage Kenya Network (MenKen); Michaela Raab; Midwives for Choice; Mouvement Français pour le Planning Familial (MFPF); Mujer Y Salud en Uruguay – MYSU; MuMaLa-Mujeres de la Matria Latinoamericana; Musas de Metal Grupo de Mujeres Gay A.C.; Nakoroiki Park  Association; National Abortion Federation; National coalition for Education; National Women’s Council of Ireland; Nossal Institute for Global Health; Nuhanovic Foundation; Observatorio de Equidad de Género en Salud; Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice; Options for Sexual Health; Organizando Trans Diversidades OTD Chile; PACE Society; Pacific Feminist SRHR Coalition; Paper Crown Institute; PARI O DISPARE; Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society; Participatory Human Rights Advancement Society; PIECE (Prostitutes Involved, Empowered, Cogent Edmonton); Planned Parenthood Ottawa; Pro Salud Sexual y Reproductiva, A.C.; Pro-Choice Wexford; Programa Género, Cuerpo y Sexualidad (Universidad de la Repúbica); Programa Iguales ante la ley-CDC; Programa Interdisciplinario de Estudios de Género, Universidad de Guadalajara; Promundo-US; Radha Paudel Foundation; Reconstruction Women’s Fund; Red Latinoamericana de Género y Salud Colectiva ALAMES; Red Mujer y Hábitat de América Latina; Red Tengo Derecho a mi Cuerpo Haurralde Fundazioa; Repeal The 8th Dublin Midwest; Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC); Reproductive Health Training Center from Moldova; Réseau Genre et Droits de la Femme – GEDROFE; Resource Center for Women and Girls; RESURJ – Realizing Sexual and Reproductive Justice Alliance; RHAC; Riskou Poulakou; Romanian Women’s Lobby; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; Sahil, Pakistan; SAHR; SAMYAK, Pune; Sarajevo Open Centre; Seres (con) viver com o VIH; Servicios Humanitarios en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva, A.C.; Sex og Politikk (IPPF Norway); Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition; Sexuality Policy Watch; She-Hive Association; Societatea de Planificare a Familiei din Moldova (SPFM)/Family Planning Association of Moldova ; Society for Education in Contraception and Sexuality (SECS) Romania; Society for Feminist Analyses AnA Romania; Society for Women’s Action and Training Initiative; Society Without Violence NGO; Solidarité des Femmes Burundaises pour la lutte contre le Sida et le Paludisme au Burundi; Solidarite des Femmes Burundaises pour le Bien Etre Social et le Progres au Burundi; SPECTRA: Young Feminists, Rwanda; Spectrum; SRHR platform Ghana; Srijanatmak Manushi Sanstha; Stella, l’amie de Maimie; Success Capital Organisation; Sukaar Welfare Organization Pakistan; Surkun; Sustainable Consulting; SWISSAID; Synergia – Initiatives for Human Rights; Taller Salud; Terre Des Jeunes Burundi; TFMR Ireland; The Bridges We Burn; The Legal Center for Women’s Initiatives “Sana Sezim”; Tonga Leitis Association ; Uganda Network of young people living with HIV & AIDS; UNAM; Unidas por La Paz I A P; Unión Democrática de Mujeres –UDEMU; Uprising of Women in the Arab World; Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights; Vecinas Feministas por la Justicia Sexual y Reproductiva en América Latina y el Caribe; VOICE MALE Magazine; Voice Your Abortion; White Ribbon Canada; WISH Associates; WO=MEN; Women Interfaith Council/Network of Men Leaders on Violence Against Women; women on waves; women on web; Women’s Link Worldwide; Women’s Solidarity Namibia; YouAct, European Youth Network on Sexual Reproductive Rights; Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana; and Zeromacho.

[ii] WHO: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs388/en/

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] WHO: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/unsafe_abortion/magnitude/en/

[v] Center for Reproductive Rights, Breaking Ground, Treaty Monitoring Bodies on Reproductive Rights, 2016, available at https://www.reproductiverights.org/document/breaking-ground-2016-treaty-monitoring-bodies-on-reproductive-rights


Monsieur le Président,

Dans le cadre de la Déclaration de Vienne et du Programme d’Action, les États ont expressément convenu de donner la priorité aux droits humains des femmes, y compris l’éradication de la discrimination et la violence basée sur le genre. Cependant, plusieurs États n’ont pas pris l’importante décision de soutenir le droits humains des femmes méritent et de sauver la vie des femmes. La perpétuelle criminalisation de l’avortement et des restrictions sur l’accès aux provisions relatives à l’avortement et aux soins post-avortement dans plusieurs juridictions en sont la preuve évidente.

Environ 22 million d’avortements non médicalisés et dangereux sont estimés à travers le monde annuellement[i], menant à 7 million de complications de santé[ii] et 47,000 morts[iii]. De plus, ceux-ci engagent des coûts sociaux et financiers majeurs pour les femmes et les filles, les familles, communautés, les systèmes de santé et les économies. La criminalisation de l’avortement et le manquement des États afin d’assurer l’accès à des services d’avortement est une violation des droits des femmes à la non-discrimination, à la vie privée, et la capacité de prendre des décisions à propos de son propre corps, et peux constituer de la torture ou des mauvais traitements, comme l’ont souligné à maintes reprises les experts et structures de l’ONU[iv]. L’interdiction de l’avortement créé un environnement qui pousse ce type d’action dans la clandestinité, et entraîne la pratique d’avortements dangereux, violant le droit à la vie, la santé et à l’autonomie corporelle. En outre, les pauvres et ceux qui font déjà face à de multiples et sécantes formes de discrimination sont affectés de façon disproportionnée, faisant sonner faux l’engagement de la communauté internationale de ne « laisser personne derrière ».

Ces violations des droits de l’Homme doivent cesser maintenant. Le 28 septembre, Jour d’Action mondial pour l’accès à l’avortement sécuritaire et légal, nous exhortons le Conseil des droits de l’Homme de s’attaquer aux violations des droits humains découlant de la criminalisation de l’avortement et du refus d’accès à des services sécuritaires et légaux d’avortement via ses résolutions, décisions, dialogues, débats et l’EPU. Nous demandons d’une voix collective que les gouvernements du monde entier respectent, protègent et accomplissent le droit à l’accès à des services d’avortements et de soins post-avortement sécuritaires et légaux.

Merci, Monsieur le President.

[i] WHO: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs388/en/

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] WHO: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/unsafe_abortion/magnitude/en/

[iv] Center for Reproductive Rights, Breaking Ground, Treaty Monitoring Bodies on Reproductive Rights, 2016, disponible à https://www.reproductiverights.org/document/breaking-ground-2016-treaty-monitoring-bodies-on-reproductive-rights


Sr. Presidente,

A través del Programa de Acción de la Declaración de Viena, los estados explícitamente acordaron en priorizar los derechos de las mujeres, incluida la erradicación de la discriminación y la violencia de género. Sin embargo, muchos estados todavía no tomaron la importante decisión de que los Derechos Humanos de las mujeres merecen ser defendidos y sus vidas merecen ser preservadas.  La persistencia de la criminalización del aborto y las restricciones al acceso y a la provisión del aborto y a la atención post-aborto en muchas jurisdicciones es una clara evidencia de esto.

Se estima que anualmente cerca de 22 millones de abortos no seguros son realizados en el mundo[i], llevando a 7 millones de complicaciones de salud[ii] y 47.000 muertes[iii]. En consecuencia, existen enormes costos sociales y financieros para mujeres y niñas, familias, comunidades, sistemas de salud y economías. La criminalización del aborto y la falta de acceso a servicios de aborto seguros es una violación al derecho a la no discriminación, a la privacidad, a tomar decisiones sobre el propio cuerpo y puede constituir tortura o maltrato, tal como repetidamente lo resaltaron organismos y expertos de la ONU[iv]. La prohibición del aborto provoca que este se realice en forma clandestina elevando los abortos inseguros, violando el derecho a la vida, a la salud y a la autonomía corporal. Adicionalmente, las mujeres pobres y las que enfrentan múltiples e interseccionales formas de discriminación son desproporcionalmente afectadas, dejando un vacío el compromiso global de “no dejar a nadie atrás”.

Estas violaciones a los Derechos Humanos deben detenerse ya. El 28 de septiembre, Día Global de Acción por el Acceso al Aborto Legal y Seguro, urgimos al Consejo de Derechos Humanos a que aborde las violaciones a los Derechos Humanos consecuencia de la criminalización del aborto y la denegación al acceso a servicios de aborto legal y seguro a través de sus resoluciones, decisiones, diálogos, debates y del EPU. Demandamos en una voz colectiva que los gobiernos alrededor del mundo respeten, protejan y cumplan con el acceso a servicios de aborto y atención post-aborto seguros y legales.

Gracias, Mr. President.

[i] OMS: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs388/en/

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] OMS: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/unsafe_abortion/magnitude/en/

[iv] Center for Reproductive Rights, Breaking Ground, Treaty Monitoring Bodies on Reproductive Rights, 2016, disponible en https://www.reproductiverights.org/document/breaking-ground-2016-treaty-monitoring-bodies-on-reproductive-rights


September 13, 2017

Requests for Organizational Sign-On: Joint Statement on Abortion Rights

In support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, the Sexual Rights Initiative, Center for Reproductive Rights and Ipas have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the upcoming 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The session runs from Sept. 11-29, and the most suitable Council agenda item for the statement would appear to be the general debate on the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25.

We invite groups and organisations to sign on to the statement by Sept. 20:

  • If you have consultative status with ECOSOC, please complete this form, email a signed copy to hrcngo@ohchr.org, cc or forward the email to neha@femjust.com, and we will add your name to the statement.
  • If you do not have consultative status with ECOSOC, please click here to add your name.

—

En appui au Jour d’action mondial pour l’accès à l’avortement sécuritaire et légal du 28 septembre, le Sexual Rights Iniviative,  le Centre pour les droits reproductif et Ipas ont développé une déclaration conjointe sur le droit à l’avortement qui sera délivré à la prochaine 36e session du Conseil des droits de l’Homme des Nations Unies à Genève. La session se tient du 11 au 29 septembre, et l’item d’agenda le plus approprié pour la déclaration semble être le débat général sur l’implémentation de la Déclaration de Vienne et le Programme d’action, le lundi 25 septembre.

Nous invitons les groupes et organisations à signer la déclaration jusqu’au 20 septembre:

  • Si vous avez le statut consultatif avec ECOSOC, veuillez compléter le formulaire, et faire parvenir une copie signée à hrcngo@ohchr.org, cc ou faire suivre le courriel à neha@femjust.com et nous ajouterons votre nom à la déclaration.
  • Si vous ne détenez pas le statut consultatif avec ECOSOC, veuillez cliquer ici et ajoutez votre nom.

—

En apoyo al 28 de septiembre, Día Global por el Acceso al Aborto Seguro y Legal, la Iniciativa por los Derechos Sexuales (Sexual Rights Initiative), el Centro por los Derechos Reproductivos (Center for Reproductive Rights) e Ipas han redactado una declaración conjunta sobre derechos relacionados con el aborto para ser leída en la 36º sesión del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU en Ginebra. Esta sesión se desarrolla entre el 11 y el 19 de septiembre y el ítem de la agenda más apropiado para realizar esta declaración será el debate general sobre la implementación de la Declaración de Viena y su Programa de Acción, agendado para el día lunes 25 de septiembre.

Invitamos a grupos y organizaciones a firmar la declaración hasta el 20 de septiembre:

  • Si tienen Estatus Consultivo ECOSOC, por favor completen el formulario, y envíenlo por email a hrcngo@ohchr.org, con copia o reenviado a neha@femjust.com, y le agregaremos el nombre de su organización a la declaración.
  • Si no tienen Estatus Consultivo ECOSOC, por favor, siga este vínculo para agregar su nombre.

June 27, 2017

HRC35 Oral Statements

The 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from the 6th to the 24th of June 2017. The SRI made oral statements related to sexual orientation and gender identity, poverty, women’s rights, peaceful assembly, family, and physical and mental health. Continue reading for complete transcripts of each statement.

Item 3: IE on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Sexuality and gender continue to be sites of oppression, discrimination, violence and subject to harsh religious, legal, political, economic and social control. They have become the sites of geopolitical contestation and are often leveraged to win elections, obscure or justify human rights abuses in other areas and cynically used to subvert the universality of human rights.

Sexuality and gender continue to be sites of oppression, discrimination, violence and subject to harsh religious, legal, political, economic and social control. They have become the sites of geopolitical contestation and are often leveraged to win elections, obscure or justify human rights abuses in other areas and cynically used to subvert the universality of human rights.

Attempts to narrow down or collapse the broad range of sexuality and gender rights to single issues – be they abortion, sex work, or sexual orientation and gender identity – run the risk of undermining the ways in which all of these rights intersect and are interrelated. Rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression are, and should always be articulated as, part and parcel of sexuality and gender related human rights.

A rigorous analysis of the root causes, both systemic and structural, which sustain violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression is critical. It reveals connections between oppressions faced by individuals and groups, and the common denial of freedom to exercise autonomy of our bodies and lives. This root cause analysis helps to surface the links between poverty, inequality and issues of sexuality and gender, and therefore seeks to create real and tangible changes to the oppressive status quo.

Institutional reform, most commonly articulated in the demand for decriminalization of same sex practices and improved responses to discrimination and violence by the criminal justice system, are important steps that member states must undertake. On their own, however, they are insufficient to address the structural drivers or to change the patriarchal and homophobic norms and values that justify and normalize such violence and discrimination.

We urge the SOGI IE through his work with States and civil society, to integrate a broad and holistic perspective to sexual rights and to also be attentive to the ways in which women with non-normative sexualities and gender expressions are specifically invisibilised and silenced, while other groups remain privileged by patriarchy which remains present within mainstream work on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Item 3: SR on Extreme Poverty

We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty which clearly articulates the ways in which poverty and economic insecurity threaten the enjoyment of human rights. The report is a clarion call to the human rights system to address with urgency the deepening of inequality and poverty as an integral part of promoting, protecting and fulfilling human rights.  Ignoring this call creates a real and imminent risk that the majority of the world’s citizens will deem human rights as irrelevant to their lives.

Mr President, the domination of free market ideology and current system of capitalism has failed to trickle down, as promised, as those at the top accumulate vast wealth by exploiting workers and the environment with impunity.  The results of this unabated greed continues to be felt most by those with the least social protection – women, migrants and young people.

Against this backdrop we welcome the report’s review of the various arguments surrounding the introduction of a universal basic income. However, we note the absence of a gendered or feminist analysis in the otherwise strong report. Women have not only written about, but have often been at the forefront of struggles for unconditional, universal basic income. Due to a range of structural and institutional drivers that suppress women’s economic autonomy, women, on average, face greater and more complex forms of insecurity than men and would benefit especially from its introduction. Feminist and intersectional analysis must be central to addressing poverty and economic inequality if the lives of those most affected are to be improved in a material and sustainable way.

We would like to ask the Special Rapporteur on the possible entry points to promoting a feminist analysis of extreme poverty within the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms?

Annual Full Day discussion on the Human Rights of Women

Men and boys can play a crucial role in preventing discrimination and violence against women and girls. They can also be key actors in working alongside women in challenging the harmful gender stereotypes and norms, attitudes and behaviors that reinforce and perpetuate this violence and discrimination.

Efforts must be made to integrate gender perspectives into national and international laws, policies and programs which seek to eliminate the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and conditions of disadvantage, their root causes and consequences, and their impact on the advancement of women. Engaging men and boys in work to advance gender equality involves not only working with individuals on behavioural change in their own personal lives, but also in mobilizing support for structural changes throughout society and in the institutions that reinforce gender sterotypes and norms, including in the socio-cultural, economic and political arenas.

Yet the role and importance of the engagement of men and boys is still a contested issue even in this Council, and among the many states who systematically attempt to avoid addressing, discussing and incorporating such notions and language into international human rights instruments, national legislation and policies, even in those that specificly relate to the human rights of women and girls.

It is evident that the lack of priority for change is linked to the benefits that men actually receive from perpetutating gender inequality and who, therefore, resist change towards more equitable gender relations. As a result, men are still rightfully considered, the “problem” in gender equality policy discussions. A transformative approach to gender is required, and one that calls on all stakeholders to join efforts in opposing norms and stereotypes that perpetuate patriarchal systems that privilege men and boys on macro and personal levels

Item 3: SR on violence against women

The Special Rapporteur’s report on violence against women, its causes and consequences and its broad focus on shelters and protection orders is another important step towards eliminating violence against women. We appreciate the human rights based approach to the integrated services and protection measures in response to violence against women.

Violations of women’s rights are most often multiple and of an intersecting nature. This is also true in regards to access to shelters and other state funded facilities providing women care and support. Economic insecurity, lack of safe and affordable housing, precarious migration status, stigma related to sex work and drug use, sexuality and gender identity based discrimination, are among the barriers women face when seeking refuge from violence.  Policies and programs designed to increase access to shelters must also address these underlying and concurrent factors.

While emphasizing reforms to service provision and protection orders aimed at supporting individual survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, we must also name, expose and work to dismantle the root causes – patriarchal norms which devalue women’s lives and safety. Further, States have a clear obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent violence against women from occurring in the first place, to guarantee access to all health, legal and social services necessary in the aftermath of violence, to end impunity for violence against women and to provide effective remedies when the State fails survivors.

States must not be lulled into complacency by the dealing with the symptoms of violence and not the causes.

Annual Full Day Discussion on the Human Rights of Women

We welcome the Report of the High-Level Working Group on the Health and Human Rights of Women, Children and Adolescents as a significant contribution to the 2030 Agenda. Its commitment to an intersectional and human rights based approach to women’s health and rights is a positive step that must be championed at the highest levels. With the publication of this report and the numerous related strategies and commitments, we expect action.

Agenda 2030 calls for the integration of human rights at all stages of development and sets a target of universal access to sexual and reproductive health. A human rights based approach to sexual and reproductive health is built upon the basic understanding that all persons have the right to control all aspects of their sexuality, their life and their body. Access to safe and legal abortion is a key component of this understanding which can no longer be ignored. This has been widely recognized and supported by the treaty bodies, the Special Procedures, in the Working Group’s report and demanded by women as essential to their health and their freedom.

Women’s human rights must be respected, protected and fulfilled at all times, and especially now in light of the rising threats to the human rights agenda worldwide where women’s bodies are the literal and figurative battlefields. Laws and policies guaranteeing women’s human rights, especially sexual and reproductive rights, must be put in place and implemented without delay. Harmful gender norms at the root of attempts to control, victimize and criminalize women must be exposed for what they are. States must be held accountable for their international obligations to women and girls, as there cannot be sustainable development if half the world’s population is unable to make decisions about their own lives and bodies.

We urge States to implement the recommendations of the Working Group’s report along with related commitments to women’s health and rights. We also remind the States that the full realization of women’s sexual and reproductive rights is an essential element of the Sustainable Development Goals and human rights that is not optional, it is a necessity.

Item 3: ID with Working Group on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in Law and Practice

We welcome the Working Groups’ report on good and promising practices to eliminate discrimination against women in law and practice.  We support their advancement of the ‘living law’ approach which places legal change in context and recognizes the immense work of women’s rights advocates in creating the conditions that make legal reform possible.  We encourage States to take heed of this approach during their reporting to the UPR and the Treaty Bodies and also UN agencies in their quests to document “best practices” on a range of topics, especially regarding women’s rights.

In all countries, the law acts as both a shield and a sword in the fight for women’s rights.  In some cases, it embeds norms and standards that protect women from discrimination, while in others, it criminalizes and punishes them for exercising their rights to autonomy and self-determination.  This is starkly demonstrated by the imprisonment of women who have illegal abortions, State sanctioned violence against women who have the audacity to speak out against fundamentalisms and impunity for family members that kill women because of their perceived sexual transgressions.

Women are often skeptical of the law as a site of positive change, and for good reason. The passage of laws are borne from and operationalized through patriarchal institutions that often do not serve the needs or realities of women’s lives.  However, we can not ignore the power of the law in our societies and so we work to change the institutions from root to branch to ensure that it works for us and not against us. We appreciate the Working Group’s commitment to capturing this nuanced and sometimes paradoxical undertaking in its report.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to commend the Working Group for its important contributions to the Council since its inception.  Their reports, public statements, country visits and engagement with civil society have greatly enhanced the content and quality of debate on women’s rights at the Council and beyond.

Item 3: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

As the Spacial Rapporteur’s report states, the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are essential components of democracy.

The report highlights the contributions of civil society in strengthening and promoting human rights, as well as the achievements made.

However, it presents an incomplete analysis of  a deeper phenomenon currently occurring in all regions of the world in which States  are effectively blocking civil society from being able to play its role in society and in many cases condoning reprisals against those seeking accountability for violations of human rights.

There can be no doubt that civil society is under immense pressure. Some governments are using legal and illegal tactics to shrink its space. They target organizations that work on contested issues, mainly related to groups that are vulnerable, including those that work on issues related to defending gender and sexuality, protecting and promoting the human rights of women, adolescents, and LGBTI persons amongst others.

Many governments are attempting and succeeding in closing space for civil society to operate through a broad range of strategies such as prohibitions, refusals and delays to registrations, restrictions on their activities, using anti-propaganda language and protection of minors laws, arrests and detentions during protests and restrictions on the ability of CSOs to access to resources.

As the Special Rapporteur recognizes, with closing spaces for Civil Society, state and non-State actors around the world today are attempting to destroy the hope that brings action and consequent change that every society needs to fully enjoy human rights.

We calls upon States, as a matter of priority, to ensure that their domestic legislation and policies are consistent with their international human rights obligations and commitments in relation to rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, expression and opinion, to pay particular attention to the safety and protection of women and LGBTI persons and human rights defenders from acts of intimidation, harassment and arbitrary detentions in the context of peaceful protests and to ensure accountability in their obligations related to this matter.

Item 3: Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur which addresses key mental health issues directly and indirectly related to gender and sexuality and which seriously impact on the full enjoyment of human rights.

As the report notes,  multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination continue to impede the ability of individuals, including women, girls and adolescents, to realize their right to mental health, stating that discrimination and inequality are both a cause and a consequence of poor mental health, with long-term implications for morbidity, mortality and well-being.

It also recognizes that harmful gender stereotypes and stigma undermine healthy relationships, social connections and the supportive and inclusive environments that are required for the good mental health and well-being of everyone.

We applaud the report’s attention  to the negative impact that the biomedical model has had and that through the proliferation of diagnostic classifications, reduces the diversity of human lives to a catalogue of mental illnesses. This is then used to justify interventions based on stigma without a solid scientific basis and constitutes a pathologizing instrument that promotes stigma and exclusion rather than guaranteeing the promotion of a non-discriminatory approach to sexual diversity and bodily autonomy.

A clear example is when mental health diagnoses have been misused to pathologize identities and other diversities such as the pathologization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons that reduces their identities to diseases, which then compounds the stigma and discrimination faced.

We call upon the Human Rights Council, the United Nations and member states to publicly acknowledge and to take effective action to eliminate patterns and practices that perpetuate gender inequality, harmful stereotypes, pathological biomedical model, violations of sexual and reproductive health amongst others which undermines the realization of the right to the enjoyement of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

Item 8: Protection of the Family: Role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of human rights of older persons

In Vienna, States reaffirmed their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In that vein, we would like to express our strong concerns about the draft resolution on the protection of the family [A/HRC/35/L.21 on “Protection of the Family: Role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of human rights of older persons.”]

Together with NGOs working on the rights of older persons, we highlight that this resolution reinforces ageist stereotypes, fails to adequately recognize older persons as individual rights holders and falls far short of States’ obligations to respect, protect and fulfil their rights. We reject its limited focus on ‘protection and assistance’ and failure to reflect research showing that the family is the primary site of violence against older persons. [We also note that the resolution ignores the work of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and ignores the conclusions of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.]

This resolution is one of a series of Protection of the Family resolutions that aim to subvert the universality of international human rights; stifle diversity and autonomy; and to shift rights protections away from family members, including older persons, into the institution of ‘the family’. We are concerned that the resolution attempts to instrumentalize older persons and their rights towards these ends.

We are also concerned by the resolution’s failure to recognize that various forms of family exist everywhere, and its stating that “the family plays a crucial role in the preservation of cultural identity, traditions, morals, heritage and the values system of society,” without recognising that families can perpetuate discriminatory and harmful values and traditions, particularly against older women. Culture and tradition are not static or homogeneous; we all have equal human rights to participate in and create culture. [When powerful institutions attempt to claim ownership over, or enforce ‘authentic’ interpretations of culture, tradition, or values, individuals – particularly those who are marginalized or vulnerable – are denied their fundamental rights.]

For these reasons, we do not believe this draft resolution is in line with human rights principles and standards and therefore call on the Core Group to withdraw it or for members of the Human Rights Council to amend or vote against it.

*Joining and supporting organisations:

  • Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
  • ARC International
  • Association for Women’s Rights in Development
  • Civil Authorize Negotiate Organization – Myanmar (C.A.N-Myanmar)
  • Coalition of African Lesbians
  • CREA
  • Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie van Homoseksualiteit – COC Nederland
  • HelpAge International
  • International Commission of Jurists
  • International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU)
  • International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)
  • International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA)
  • OUtRight Action International
  • Sexual Rights Initiative

 


March 29, 2017

HRC34: Sexual Rights Recap

The 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from the 27th of February to the 24th of March 2017. Here is an overview of resolutions, panel, oral statements and side events related to sexual rights that took place during the session.

The HRC34 Recap provides information on some of the key sexual rights related: 
  • Resolutions
  • Panels and Discussions
  • Oral Statements
  • Side Events
all of which the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) was engaged with during the session. 

Sexual Rights-related Resolutions

Rights of the child: protection of the rights of the child in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development A/HRC/34/L.25

The Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution on the protection of the rights of the child in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The resolution, led by the EU and GRULAC, aimed to provide a child’s rights lens to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Resolution recognizes the importance of international human rights law to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and that children are disproportionately affected in complex humanitarian emergencies. In addition, it encourages States to strengthen their capacities to monitor progress and build on existing review mechanisms. It further acknowledges that the 2030 Agenda pledge to leave no one behind involves addressing multiple forms of inequality and discrimination, and provides an opportunity to tackle inequities faced by children especially those who are marginalized or in vulnerable situations.

However, the adopted text does not represent the most advanced human rights standards pertaining to the protection of the rights of the child and falls below the agreement reached in the 2030 Agenda. The resolution fails to incorporate the right to be heard, the right to participate, adolescents’ rights to sexual and reproductive health, and the principle of evolving capacities. The resolution also neglects the particular needs of children with disabilities and LGBTI children and does not recognize that family environments are often sites of violence, especially for girls.

Click here to read the SRI Joint Statement with CRR & CRC

Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders A/HRC/34/L.5

The resolution was adopted without a vote and led by Norway. It calls on States to respect and support the activities of human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, and that all domestic laws should reflect this view. It strongly urges all States to take concrete steps to create, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment in which human rights defenders can operate free from hindrance and insecurity. One Russian amendment sought to remove reference to “women human rights defenders,” it was rejected by vote. The resolution renews the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders for three years.

The SRI prepared an oral statement addressing the human rights defenders who work on protecting, promoting and advancing human rights related to gender and sexuality. Crimes committed against human rights defenders working on gender and sexuality are widespread but often overlooked and accepted and have the complicity and legitimization of political leaders and governments. The statement calls on States to prevent and reduce the risks that gender and sexuality human rights defenders face.

Click here to read SRI statement

The right to privacy in the digital age A/HRC/34/L.7/Rev.1

The resolution was adopted without a vote and led by Austria, Brazil, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico and Switzerland. It reaffirms the human right to privacy protected under existing domestic and international law. The automatic processing of personal data for individual profiling may lead to discrimination or decisions that otherwise have the potential to affect the enjoyment of human rights. Individuals often do not provide their free, explicit and informed consent to the re-use, sale or multiple re-sales of their personal data.

The resolution notes that violations and abuses of the right to privacy may affect all individuals, including with particular effects on women, as well as children and persons in vulnerable situations, or marginalized groups. In many countries, persons and organizations engaged in promoting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms frequently face threats and harassment and suffer insecurity as well as unlawful or arbitrary interference with their right to privacy as a result of their activities.

Click here to read the resolution

Freedom of opinion and expression A/HRC/34/L.27

The resolution was adopted without a vote and led by the United States of America. This resolution welcomes the work of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and urges all States to cooperate fully with and assist the Special Rapporteur in the performance of their tasks, as well as to provide all necessary information. The resolution renews the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression for three years.

Click here to read the resolution

Birth registration and the right of everyone to recognition everywhere as a person before the law A/HRC/34/L.24

The resolution was adopted without a vote and led by Mexico and Turkey. It recognizes that birth registration and the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law is closely linked to the realization of all other human rights. Birth registration is an important step to preventing statelessness and provides an official record of existence and recognition. Unregistered individuals may have limited or no access to services and the enjoyment of all the rights to which they are entitled, including rights related to health.

Persons without birth registration are more vulnerable to marginalization, exclusion, discrimination, and violence. The resolution calls on States to identify and remove physical, administrative, procedural and any other barriers that impede access to birth registration, paying due attention barriers relating to poverty, disability, gender, age, adoption processes, nationality, statelessness, displacement, illiteracy and detention contexts, and to persons in vulnerable situations.

Click here to read the resolution

Question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights A/HRC/34/L.4/Rev.1

The resolution was adopted without a vote and led by Portugal. It reaffirms the importance of economic, social and cultural rights, the interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights, and the obligations of States enshrined in international conventions.

It takes note of the Secretary General’s report in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, recognizes the need to collect reliable data to measure progress, urges States to strengthen their efforts in this regard, underlines the importance of effective remedies for violations of economic, cultural and social rights and requests the Secretary-General to continue to prepare and submit to the Human Rights Council an annual report on this topic, with a special focus on the role of economic, social and cultural rights in the transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies.

Click here to read the resolution

Sexual Rights-related Panels & Discussions

Panel discussion on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights

This panel discussion generated concrete recommendations to accelerate progress in reducing preventable maternal mortality and morbidity by applying a human rights based approach. As noted by the panelists and several States, such an approach requires the full respect, protection and fulfillment of women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights. Panelists and some States also directly addressed the impact of unsafe abortion on maternal deaths and the need to reform restrictive abortion laws, women’s and girls’ rights to bodily autonomy and the need to pay particular attention to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs and rights.

 

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Click here to read the SRI statement

Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child
Theme: Protection of the rights of the child in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

States and panelists emphasized the critical importance of adolescents’ sexual and reproductive rights, that this has been a neglected area in law, policy and international development discourse and that States must step up their efforts to provide comprehensive sexuality education to all children, including adolescents, as a matter of priority.

 

Click here to read the SRI statement

Annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities 
Theme: Article 5 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities regarding equality and non-discrimination

The debate sought to identify good practices in promoting the human rights of persons with disabilities in order to achieve substantive equality and to ensure non-discrimination. It also contributed to raising awareness of the challenges that persons with disabilities continue to face in enjoying their human rights, particularly on accessing reasonable accommodation.

The SRI delivered an oral statement addressing the Special Rapporteur’s report. While the report highlights the importance of support within the family, it fails to recognize the family as primary perpetrators of sexual violence, especially on women and girls with disabilities. While the report addresses access to justice, the assumed lack of legal capacity is a huge barrier for women and girls with disabilities. The statement called on States to shift focus away from protective measures and toward the empowerment, sexual well-being, freedom to express desires and self determination of women and girls with disability.

Click here to read the SRI statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights

The Special Rapporteur addressed the phenomena of fundamentalism and extremism and their grave impact on the enjoyment of cultural rights. She also elaborated on the trend of some actors to subvert the principle of universality on the grounds of religious exceptionalism as means to violate and suppress the rights of women, girls, LGBT persons and gender non-conforming persons.

She argued that cultural rights can play a key role in combating fundamentalism and extremism and provided a comprehensive set of recommendations to States, UN agencies and civil society to prevent the spread of hate, which threatens to undermine the international human rights system.

Click here to read the SRI statement

SRI Oral Statements



Visit the SRI website for transcripts and video footage

Outcomes from the 26th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) were adopted for: Haiti, Iceland, Lithuania, Moldova (Republic of), South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), and Zimbabwe.

SRI delivered statements to six countries:

  • Lithuania
  • Timor L’Este
  • Togo
  • Uganda
  • Venezuela
  • Zimbabwe

SRI also made statements on:

  • Panel Discussion on Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity and Human Rights
  • Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
  • Annual Full Day Meeting on the Rights of the Child
  • Clustered ID: Special Rapporteur on disabilities and Independent Expert on albinism
  • Item 3: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders – not delivered orally due to time limitations

SRI Side Events

Comprehensive Sexuality Education & Human Rights


HRC33 Panel: Bodily Autonomy & Sexual Rights

A diverse panel of speakers representing States, UN agencies and youth-led organizations delivered insights on the current political, social and factual context of CSE, the need to address deeply entrenched gender norms that stigmatize young people’s sexuality, and solutions that support young people in realizing their human rights, including their right to CSE.

Click here for event highlights
The National Sexual Rights Law and Policy Database documents and compares the status of law and policy related to sexual rights issues in different countries around the world.

Click here to access the database

Read the SRI & IPPF

UPR Toolkit for Sexual Rights Advocates

Available in
English, French, Portuguese, Spanish & Arabic.

more info about the HRC

Created in 2006 to replace the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights Council is the foremost international body for the promotion and protection of human rights and can be used to bring substantial pressure on governments to take steps to implement human rights norms. The Human Rights Council is comprised of governments of countries that are members of the United Nations and is an important venue to develop and advance sexual rights as a critical part of the international human rights framework.

Click here for more information on HRC34

March 7, 2017

SRI Oral Statements at HRC34

SRI Oral statements made to date during the 34th session of the Human Rights Council. This session is ongoing and will conclude on 24 July 2017.

Oral Statements to date

SRI Statement on Lithuania, UPR Report Consideration – 00:31:18

Download in PDF


SRI Statement on Togo, UPR Report Consideration – 00:43:24

Download in PDF


SRI Statement on Venezuela, UPR Report Consideration – 00:34:46

Download in PDF


SRI Statement on Timor Leste, UPR Report Consideration – 00:37:40

Download in PDF


SRI Statement on Uganda, UPR Report Consideration – 00:33:37

Download in PDF


SRI Statement on Zimbabwe, UPR Report Consideration – 00:43:30

Download in PDF


Clustered ID: Special Rapporteur on disabilities and Independent Expert on albinism – 00:51:30

Download in PDF


Annual Full Day Meeting on the Rights of the Child – 1:44:38

Joint statement with Dance4Life, Choice for Youth and Sexuality and the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights

Download in PDF


Item 3: Interactive Dialoge with the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights – 01:21:31

Download in PDF


Panel Discussion on Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity and Human Rights – 1:36:31

Download in PDF


Item 3: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders – not delivered due to limited time

 

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