Sign-on to the HRC 48 Civil Society Statement on Abortion

Published on September 13, 2021

In support of the upcoming International Safe Abortion Day on September 28, the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, the International Service for Human Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

The focus of this year’s statement is to highlight the impact of stigma on abortion whether criminalized or not, in every country and highlight the impunity for violations that continue for denial of abortion. This initiative builds on our previous joint statements on abortion to the Council these past 3 years, including last year’s statement signed by over 300 organizations and 500 individuals. We hope you will join us and sign on again this year!  The statement is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic for your review under the following links. 

The HRC session runs from September 13 to October 8, and the statement will be delivered during the general debate on the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, scheduled on Monday, October 4. A few requirements need to be fulfilled including connecting the statement with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and observing the 1:30-minute time limit. Please note that a shorter version of this statement will be delivered orally to fit the time requirements, but that this longer version will be posted on the HRC Extranet and used for promotion and dissemination.

We invite groups, organizations and individuals [Note: there is an option to keep your name anonymous] to sign on to the statement by October 1, 3.00 PM CEST by filling out the following sign-on form and following its instructions:

We would be very grateful if you could help us disseminate the statement far and wide with your networks. Please  contact us if you have any questions.