HRC 57: Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion : General Debate Item 8
HRC 57: Women’s Network for Unity & SRI Statement to the adoption of Cambodia's UPR
HRC 57: SRI & Students from the Geneva Graduate Institute statement to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the HRC
HRC 57: Journalists for Human Rights & SRI Statement to North Macedonia's UPR adoption
We urge the government to prioritise the development of a national plan for the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education in school curricula as a mandatory subject. Access to comprehensive sexuality education will empower them to make informed decisions about their bodies, sexual and reproductive health, sexuality, and relationships. Comprehensive sexuality education is crucial for promoting gender equality, reducing violence, and enhancing the well-being of students across North Macedonia.
HRC 57: SRI Statement to the Panel discussion on the implementation of States’ obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members
The principle of universality must be applied to challenge which families are considered to be worthy of state protection and therefore which family members are entitled to human rights, according to the state. At this very moment, we are witnessing families being decimated in service of a racist, colonial state and its expansionist aspirations. Are these family members not entitled to human rights?
HRC 57: NSWP & SRI Statement on General debate item 3
HRC 57 SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the right to development
HRC 57: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation
HRC 57: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures
HRC 57: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the rights of older persons
HRC 57: Action Canada, The Canadian Alliance Sex Work Law Reform & SRI Statement to the ID with SR on slavery
HRC 57: SRI, IPPF and AWID Statement to the panel discussion on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities.
HRC 56: North South Initiative & SRI Statement on Malaysia UPR Adoption
HRC 56: SRI Statement to Nigeria's UPR adoption
HRC 56: IDPC, GAATW, WHRIN, HRI, IWRAW and SRI Joint Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the SR on extreme poverty
We echo the report’s call on States to repeal all laws and policies that penalise individuals for structural inequality, and to move away from punitive and carceral approaches.
There is overwhelming evidence showing that the criminalisation of drug use and of sex work is deeply discriminatory, disproportionately affecting people on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity and class. It also increases exposure to physical and sexual violence. It is also used as a driver of other harmful policies, for instance by restricting access to safe housing and shelter, as well as to safe places of work and labour rights for sex workers.
HRC 56: SRI and AWID statement to the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Panel 2: Human rights economy and women’s rights
HRC 56: SRI, AWID & NSWP statement to the interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
HRC 56: SRI statement to the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Economic violence against women and girls
HRC 56: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health
HRC 56: Women Deliver statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
HRC 56: NSWP statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
HRC 56: IWRAW statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
HRC 56: Akãhatã statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
HRC 56: LALAYAT Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
HRC 55: Centre Women and Modern World and SRI Statement to Azerbaijan UPR adoption
HRC 55: Canadian Civil Society Joint statement to Canada's UPR adoption
HRC 55: Joint statement to Canada's UPR adoption
HRC 55: #EmptyChairs campaign statement to the Item 5: Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms
HRC 55: Joint statement to Item 3 General Debate
HRC 55: SRI Statement to the Annual meeting on the rights of the child
HRC 55: SRI, CREA & TCIG Statement to the Annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities
HRC 55: SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Foreign Debt
HRC 55: Joint statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities
HRC 55: SRI Statement to the panel discussion on challenges and good practices to realize the right to social security and to provide quality public services
HRC 55: Joint Statement on International Women’s Day
HRC 54 Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion
HRC 54 SRI & partners statement to the adoption of Botswana's UPR 43 outcome
We regret that Botswana received and noted several recommendations on decriminalising abortion, on repealing Section 167 of the Penal Code, and on ensuring access to legal gender recognition. Botswana must eliminate discrimination against women and ensure their access to legal, safe, and affordable sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion, which Botswana still criminalises, and gender-affirming care.
HRC 54 Action Canada Statement to the ID with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People
HRC 54 SRI Statement to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective
HRC 54 FEDERA Statement to Item 3 General Debate
The criminalisation of abortion is taking an increasing toll in my country. Women die because of lack of access to life saving abortion care, the entire hospitals rely illegally on the consciousness clause. The recent police intervention in the case of a woman who took an abortion pill and another who miscarried show how the restrictive legal and policy environment is facilitating the abuse of powers by authorities, and legitimising the refusals of care by medical providers.
HRC 54 SRI Statement on the ID on OHCHR report on panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism
HRC 54 SRI & IWRAW Asia Pacific Joint Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with the SR on the Right to Development
HRC 54 SRI Statement to the ID on the OHCHR report on economic, social and cultural rights, and COVID-19 recovery
HRC 54 SRI Statement to the ID with the SR on Unilateral Coercive Measures
HRC 53 SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Racism
The relationship between health, race, caste, class and gender is rooted in colonial, patriarchal and capitalist control over women’s sexuality, reproduction and bodies and produces distinct experiences of oppression that are often fatal. Racialised women are specifically targeted by harmful stereotypes, the essentialisation of women to their reproductive capacities, forced sterilisation, forced pregnancies and chromosomal testing in sporting events through state interventions or purposeful inaction. This has profound impacts on their health and human rights.
HRC 53 JOICFP and partners Joint Statement to Japan's UPR
HRC 53 Hi Voices, the Pact and SRI Statment to Pakistan's UPR
HRC 53 Forum for Dignity Initiatives, Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights and SRI Statement to Pakistan's UPR
We welcome the recommendations made to Pakistan on protecting women’s rights, the rights of transgender people, and sexual and reproductive rights.
We are concerned by the recent regressive ruling by the Federal Shariat court, which struck down key sections of the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2018.
HRC 53 SRI, Santé Sexuelle & partners' Statement to Switzerland UPR
HRC 53 Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia (AAAZ) and SRI Statement to Zambia's UPR
HRC 53 the PACT, Red Juvenil de Asociación de Mujeres Gente Nueva and SRI Statement to Guatemala's UPR
HRC 53 Youth Action Movement-Ghana (YAM-Gh) and SRI Statement to Ghana's Outcome of the UPR
HRC 53 SRI Statement to the Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Social Protection
HRC 53 SRI, AWID and FEDERA Statement to the Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: GBV in public and political life
Akãhatã & SRI Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Transnational Corporations
HRC 53 FEDERA Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on migrants
HRC 53 SRI statement: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health
HRC 53 Joint Statement: Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
HRC 52 Statement to the Adoption of the UPR for South Africa
HRC 52 Statement to the Adoption of the UPR of the Netherlands
HRC 52 FEDERA Statement to the Adoption of the UPR for Poland
HRC 52 Statement to the Adoption of the UPR of Brazil
We appreciate Brazil's acceptance of almost all of the recommendations received during its review, and its noting of two recommendations related to a concept of traditional family that does not conform to Brazilian legislation and jurisprudence and which opposes Human Rights.
HRC 52 SRI, Human Touch Foundation and the PACT Statement to India UPR Outcomes
HRC 52 Sa Perempuan Papua & SRI Statement to Indonesia UPR Outcomes
HRC 52 Scottish Trans statement to the United Kingdom's UPR outcome
HRC 52 - Oral Statement - Outcome of the Universal Periodic Review - Ecuador
HRC52 - Oral Statement - Outcome of the Universal Periodic Review – Morocco
HRC 52: FEDERA Statement to Item 4 General Debate: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
HRC 52 SRI Statement to Item 5: Human rights bodies and mechanisms #EmptyChairs
HRC 52 SRI Statement to the Interactive Dialogue on Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
Statement by SRI and Akãhatã to the Interactive Dialogue with the IE on the effects of foreign debt
HRC 52 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
HRC 52 - Statement to the Full-Day High-Level Meeting on the Right to Development
Statement to the Organisational session for the 17th cycle of the HRC
As observers of the Human Rights Council, we have repeated and continue to repeat our concerns with these so-called efficiency measures. The so-called efficiency measures privilege convenience over the Council's effectiveness, which should concern all of us. The lack of general debates during the June sessions has severely impacted civil society participation. It is particularly true for feminist groups and groups that work on issues of gender and sexuality.
Statement to the OHCHR workshop on on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of COVID-19: Session 4
Around the world, health systems and health financing have been eroded, undermined and weakened by decades of neoliberalism, austerity, privatisation and structural adjustment programs and an emphasis on minimising State intervention and relying on a discourse of “personal responsibility.
Statement to the OHCHR workshop on on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of COVID-19: Session 2
The rising inequalities, made even starker due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, are a symptom of the failed economic system that prioritises profit over people and impoverishes people. It is very important to look at the impact of the erosion of public systems through privatisation and financialisation and resulting human rights violations and abuses. In particular, to delve deeper into why public health systems were woefully inadequate to deal with the Pandemic.
HRC 51 Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion
Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council. This statement has been supported by more 450 organisations and 425 individuals as of Monday, 3 October, 2022. A full list of signatories will be published on our website shortly.
HRC 51 SRI Statement to Item 6 General Debate: Universal Periodic Review
Statement by the Sexual Rights Initiative on the Item 6 General Debate: Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
HRC 51 Statement to Panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism on the enjoyment of human rights
Statement by the Sexual Rights Initiative, Al-Haq, IWRAW Asia-Pacific, ILGA and AWID on the Panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism on the enjoyment of human rights at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council.
HRC 51 Federation for Women and Family Planning Statement to Item 4 General Debate
Statement by SRI's partner the Federation for Women and Family Planning to Item 4 General Debate at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
HRC 51 #EmptyChairs Campaign Statement to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective to the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms
Statement by the #EmptyChairs Campaign to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective to the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
HRC51 Joint Statement: Biennial panel discussion on the right to development
Statement by AWID, SRI and IWRAW Asia Pacific to the Biennial panel discussion on the right to development at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council
HRC 51- Statement to the interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development
Statement by Sexual Rights Initiative to the interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development at 51rst session on the Human Rights Council.
HRC 51 - Joint statement on contemporary forms of slavery
Action Canada makes this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative, the International Dalit Solidarity Network, Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network and National Council of Women Leaders.
SRI Statemennt to CERD’s Day of General Discussion on a Proposed General Recommendation on The Right to Health: Panel 2
SRI Statemennt to CERD’s Day of General Discussion on a Proposed General Recommendation on The Right to Health: Panel 1
HRC50: SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism
SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
HRC50 - Statement to Sudan's Outcome of the UPR by SRI & Independent activists
Statement by independent activists in Sudan and the Sexual Rights Initiative to the Outcome of the Universal Periodic Review for Sudan at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council
HRC50 - Dili Model United Nations and SRI Statement to Timor-Leste UPR outcome
Statement by Dili Model United Nations and SRI Statement to Timor-Leste's Universal Periodic Review outcome at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council
HRC50 - Statement on Uganda's UPR by LBQ Loose Network CREA, the CAL and SRI
Statement by the Uganda LBQ Loose Network, a collective working towards increasing the voice and visibility of lesbian, bisexual and queer women in advocacy, feminist leadership, and women’s rights in Uganda, CREA, the Coalition of African Lesbians and the Sexual Rights Initiative to the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Uganda at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council.
HRC50 - Girls Awake, Peer to Peer Uganda, the PACT, and SRI Statement to the outcome of the UPR for Uganda
Statement by Girls Awake, Peer to Peer Uganda, the PACT, and the Sexual Rights Initiative at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review for Uganda.
HCR50 - SRI Statement to the Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2:Human rights-based and gender-responsive care and support systems
SRI statement to Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2:Human rights-based and gender-responsive care and support systems at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council
HRC50 - SRI and CRR Statement: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights
SRI and Center for Reproductive Rights Statement: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council
HRC50 - SRI Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
SRI Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants at 50th session of the Human Rights Council
HRC50 - SRI, Her Rights Initiative, the Women’s Legal Centre Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
SRI, Her Rights Initiative, the Women’s Legal Centre Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
HRC50 - SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
HRC50 - Action Canada & SRI Statement on the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
Statement by Action Canada, Action Canada's National Youth Advisory Board and the Sexual Rights Initiative to the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.
HRC50 - Federa Statement Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
Statement of Federa to the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
HRC50 - SRI Statement on the commemorative event on the occasion of the 50th session of the HRC
SRI Statement on the commemorative event on the occasion of the 50th session of the HRC.
The Human Rights Council will marked its 50th session through a high-level interactive discussion that provided stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made and the lessons learned since its 1st session. The following is SRI's statement to this interactive discussion.
HRC 48: Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development
Collection of data and assessments of consequences of climate change is crucial. However, we already have data that evidences the profound mismatch between neoliberal capitalism, together with patriarchy, racism and colonialism and the right to development and the environmental crisis. This discrepancy will only bring more exclusion, inequality and social control that impacts disproportionally on the most vulnerable and marginalized groups; and will never bring development, and even less sustainable development.
Joint Statement of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and a Call to End Israeli Occupation
Joint Statement: Informal Conversation on Implementation of HRC ‘Efficiency’ Measures (PRST/OS/13/1)
We make this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Joint letter in solidarity with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
Joint civil society letter on the arrest and detention of EIPR human rights defenders.
Request for Sign-On: HRC 45 Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion
In support of the upcoming International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September, the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, 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 and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
SRI adds their voice to request for U.N. independent inquiry into escalating situation of police violence and repression in the US
The Sexual Rights Initiative has signed on a coalition letter addressed to the members of the Human Rights Council led by the ACLU to demand for an independent UN inquiry into the escalating police violence and repression in the US.
HRC 39: Statements and Videos
Here are statements the Sexual Rights Initiative has made during the 39th session of the Human Rights Council.
September 10, 2018
Item 3: Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and the Independent Expert on democratic and equitable international order.
Thank You Mr President,
Rights of the Child in Humanitarian Settings: A missed opportunity
The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), Child Rights Connect (CRC), the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Plan International, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) welcome the theme of the Human Rights Council resolution on the protection of the rights of the child in humanitarian situations.
Press Release: African Court denies civil society access to justice
The African Court denies civil society access to justice and fails to pronounce on the independence of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Joint Statement on Access to Safe and Legal Abortion Globally
HRC36: General Debate Item 8 2
HRC36 Oral Statements
The 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council is took place from 11-29 September 2017. Here are transcripts of oral statements made by the Sexual Rights Initiative.
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.
Joint Statement on HRC34 Rights of the Child Resolution
Joint statement by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual Rights Initiative, and Child Rights Connect. Delivered on 24 March following the Human Rights Council adoption of a resolution on the protection of the rights of the child in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
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
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SRI Statement on Togo, UPR Report Consideration – 00:43:24
Concern with UN Women’s Consultation on Sex Work
A fundamental principle of human rights is the equal right to participate in political and public affairs. This is guaranteed by Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as other several human rights instruments, and is a key component of a human rights based approach which seeks to eliminate marginalization and discrimination in the development of laws and policies.
Response to the UN Women’s call on: “Consultation seeking views on UN Women approach to sex work, the sex trade and prostitution”
This statement has been jointly prepared by 190 sex worker rights, women’s rights, and human rights organizations.
HRC adopts resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity in the face of attacks on women’s SRHR
Statement Co-Produced by the Sexual Rights Initiative & Centre for Reproductive Rights
Human Rights Council adopts resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights in the face of attacks on women’s sexual and reproductive rights
Today, the Council adopted by consensus its biannual resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. The resolution represents an advancement to women’s human rights on several counts.
The resolution:
HRC33 Statement on Women Human Rights Defenders
Thank you Mr. President, Action Canada makes this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative.
HRC33 Statement: Stop Using Women’s Bodies as the Battlefield!
HRC33 Statement: Stop Using Women’s Bodies as the Battlefield!
HRC33: UPR Statements to Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Thailand
SRI Oral Statements made during the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council during the Consideration of the Outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Thailand. The UPR outcome for each State reviewed during UPR25 is adopted during this session of the HRC. The outcome report indicates which recommendations the State agrees to implement, and its responses to other recommendations.
SRI Statement on Ireland, UPR Report Consideration – 00:38:13
HRC33 Oral Statement on Violence Against Indigenous Women & Girls
HRC33 Oral Statement on Violence Against Indigenous Women & Girls
Joint Statement and Call for Action for the Polish Parliament to Examine the Right to Access to Safe and Legal Abortion
Joint Statement and Call for Action for the Polish Parliament to Examine the Right to Access to Safe and Legal Abortion
HRC33 Statement on Maternal Mortality and Human Rights
Thank you Mr President.
This statement is delivered on behalf of the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual Rights Initiative, and the International Initiative on Maternal Mortality and Human Rights.
We welcome the follow up report by the OHCHR on the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementations of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity.
SRI calls for political and legal framing that recognizes full range of sexual rights
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) is a coalition of organizations from Canada, Poland, India, Egypt, Argentina and South Africa that have been advocating together for the advancement of human rights related to gender, sexuality and reproduction at the UN Human Rights Council since 2006. We are committed to and strongly in support of rights related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Many of us are directly affected as people who are non-conforming in terms of our gender identity and expression and our sexual orientation.
UN CESCR Adopts General Comment on Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) welcomes the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights’ General Comment 22 on the Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health, adopted in March 2016. The SRI actively engaged in the development of the General Comment (See SRI submission to the General Day of Discussion) and believes that General Comment 22 makes a valuable contribution to the realization of sexual and reproduction health and rights for all.
HRC31: SRI Oral Statements
During the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the SRI collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of five countries:
Statement: Release Egyptian Journalist Hossam Bahgat
Partners in the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) coalition – Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Akahata, Coalition of African Lesbians, CREA, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, and Federation for Women and Family Planning – condemn the detention of Egyptian journalist Hossam Bahgat by the military police.
HRC30: SRI Oral Statements
During the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the SRI collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Malawi, Maldives, Panama, and the USA.
The SRI also delivered statements pertaining to:
Joint Statement for the Human Rights Committee’s Day of Discussion on the Right to Life
The SRI joined more than 50 NGOs in calling upon the U.N. Human Rights Committee to elaborate on the measures States must take to realize women’s right to life, including by guaranteeing access to safe and legal abortion, and other sexual and reproductive health services. The joint statement is below.
Distinguished Committee Members:
HRC29: SRI Oral Statements
During the 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the SRI collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Guyana, Kenya, Turkey, and Spain.
SRI Condemns HRC29 Resolution on “Protection of the Family”
The Sexual Rights Initiative condemns the adoption of the Protection of the Family resolution by the UN Human Rights Council on Friday the 3rd of July. This is a set back to the advancement of the human rights of individuals as it seeks to elevate the family as an institution in need of protection without acknowledging the harms and human rights abuses that are known to occur within families, or recognizing that diverse forms of family exist.
Joint letter by UN Special Procedures regarding protection of the family and its members
During the 29th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, four UN Special Procedures — the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography — sent a letter to the President of the Human Rights Council expressing concerns regarding the debates on the Protection of the Family resolution.
HRC28: SRI Oral Statements
During the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, El Salvador and Madagascar. Responses were also prepared for Egypt and Iran but not delivered due to time limitations
HRC27: SRI Oral Statements
During the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Dominica, Nicaragua, Norway and Portugal.
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus: ‘Syariah Law in the Penal Code of Brunei: Stoning is Inhuman, Uncompassionate, and a Gross Violation of Human Rights’
Statement by the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC):
The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) condemns the regressive and inhuman revision of the penal code of Brunei Darussalam that introduces stoning to death as a specific method of execution for same sexual activities. The ASC is somewhat comforted by the postponement of the implementation of the new code. However, the ASC maintains its position on the introduction of the law, albeit the delay.
“Our lives are not negotiable” Activists call on governments to end human rights violations experienced by those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions
During the 47th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD), individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and their allies, came together to voice concerns regarding ongoing violations of the human rights of individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
SRI & WILPF coordinate response to “Protection of the Family” Joint Statement at UN HRC
During the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) coordinated a response the “protection of the family” joint statement initiated during the session.
CEDAW statement on sexual and reproductive health and rights
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), at its recently concluded session, issued a statement on sexual and reproductive health and rights, which is its contribution to the ICPD@20 review process. The Committee reminds us that it “has observed that failure of a State party to provide services and the criminalisation of some services that only women require is a violation of women’s reproductive rights and constitutes discrimination against them.” It States that “the provision of, inter alia, safe abortion and post abortion care; maternity care; timely diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV), breast and reproductive cancers, and infertility; as well as access to accurate and comprehensive information about sexuality and reproduction, are all part of the right to sexual and reproductive health” and that “every State can and should do more to ensure the full respect, protection and fulfilment of sexual and reproductive rights, in line with human rights obligations.”
SRI prepares written statement for upcoming session of the Commission on Population and Development
Building on the Hague Civil Society Call to Action on Human Rights and ICPD Beyond 2014, the SRI’s written statement for the upcoming 47th session of the Commission on Population and Development calls on governments to:
Ensure the implementation of all human rights obligations related to the Programme of Action of the ICPD;
Promote equality by tackling the root causes of structural inequalities;
SRI partners sign on to Joint Statement on ‘Human Rights for All in the Post-2015 Development Agenda’
Human rights have surged to the forefront of the debate about what will succeed the Millennium Development Goals in 2015. As human rights and social justice organizations worldwide, we feel compelled to lay out some of the baseline implications of embedding human rights into the core of the sustainable development agenda this time around.
SRI welcomes UN Women’s strong position on sex work, sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons
On November 12th, the Sexual Rights Initiative sent a letter to UN Women, welcoming its strong, human rights-based approach, to issues of sex work, sexual exploitation and trafficking in persons. The original letter and UN Women’s note can be accessed below.
HRC24: SRI Oral Statements
During the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Russia and Uzbekistan.
Hague Civil Society Call to Action on Human Rights and ICPD Beyond 2014
Hague Civil Society Call to Action on Human Rights and ICPD Beyond 2014
Joint Statement by 24 States at HRC on Importance of SRHR in Post-2015 Framework
On March 8th, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) held its High-Level Panel on Human Rights Mainstreaming, this year choosing to focus it on the post-2015 development framework.
During that debate, Ethiopia delivered on behalf of a select cross-regional group of 24 States a joint statement to the Council stressing the importance of SRHR to the post-2015 framework.
Protect sexual and reproductive rights defenders
Joint Statement of SRI and the International Lesbian and Gay Association during the panel discussion on women’s human rights defenders
Delivered by Fikile Vilakazi, Coalition of African Lesbians (South Africa)
Reparations and remedies for violence must be transformative
Transformative reparations must also take into account that marginalized women have the least access to judicial or administrative remedies. Multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination serve to disempower, exclude, and stigmatize women, which if not considered in reparation schemes, will only reinforce existing inequalities.