The 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 29th of February to the 24th of March 2016. Find below information about anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels and reports, UPR outcomes and parallel events taking place during the 31st session.
Expected Resolutions Relevant to Sexual Rights
- Protecting HRDs addressing economic, social and cultural rights with focus on economic, social and cultural rights (Norway)
- Rights of the Child with focus on online sexual exploitation of children (GRULAC and EU)
Sexual Rights Related Panels
Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming (HRC res. 16/21)
As the year 2016 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development by the General Assembly, the panel will also explore the new opportunities arising from the 2030 Agenda to advance the mainstreaming of all human rights throughout the United Nations system at the global, regional and country level, with an emphasis on the right to development.
Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child (HRC res. 7/29 and 28/19)
The annual full-day meeting will constitute an opportunity to discuss different national, regional and international initiatives to empower children through information and communication technologies (ICTs) and enhance their protection, including against child sexual exploitation online and offline, in order to identify a holistic approach to the enjoyment of the rights of the child through ICTs, and to share good practices and challenges on the issue.
Panel discussion on the progress in and challenges of addressing human rights issues in the context of efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 (HRC res. 30/8)
The panel discussion will provide a platform for experts and affected populations to undertake a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in addressing human rights issues in the context of efforts to end the epidemic of AIDS by 2030, including successes, best practices and lessons learned. It is expected that the panel will reflect on the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all as an essential element in the global AIDS response, including in the areas of prevention, care, support and treatment. During the discussions, panellists will be able to shed light on challenges that still remain, such as eliminating HIV-related stigma, discrimination and violence, with a focus on addressing the human rights of key populations; promoting rights-based health services as a means of ensuring the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of treatment without discrimination; ensuring access to medicines; and enabling legal and policy environment for ending AIDS.
Click here for a list of all panels and concept notes
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Sexual Rights Related Reports
A/HRC/31/20
Annual report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children.
Click here to read the report »
A/HRC/31/34
Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on information and communications technology and child sexual exploitation.
Click here to read the report »
A/HRC/31/37
The report on the protection of the family will be delivered by the High Commissioner (Items 2&3) – estimated 10 or 11 March. An Advanced Unedited Version is available online already, together with the various submissions made by NGOS.
Click here to read the unedited version of the report »
A/HRC/31/55
The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders will present his report on 3 March. As usual there will be reference to LGBTI human rights defenders.
A/HRC/31/57 The Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of punishment will present his report on gender perspectives on torture.
Click here to read the report »
A/HRC/31/58 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
Click here to read the report »
Click here for a list of all reports
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UPR Outcomes
Outcomes from the 23rd session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will be adopted during this session of the HRC. The 23rd session of the UPR was held from the 2nt to the 13th of November 2015.
Fourteen countries were reviewed: Australia, Austria, Georgia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Oman, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe.SRI collaborated with organizations and individuals in preparing eight reports for five countries:
Georgia
Lebanon
Nepal
Rwanda
Saint Lucia
Click here to review all SRI joint submissions
All Reports from the Working Groups, containing all recommendations received by States Under Review can be accessed here.
Sexual Rights Initiative Parallel
Click here to download the flyer
14 MARCH, 12:00-1:30PM, Room XXI
Sexual Health, Human Rights and Law
The panel will discuss key principles, approaches and tools for the promotion and protection of sexual health and human rights. Panelists will share experiences from the national and regional level and recommendations on some of the priority actions needed for the advancement of sexual health as well as address the integration of sexual health into SDG priorities.
Other Sexual Rights-related Parallel Events
8 MARCH
Geneva Gender Debate – Gender Parity: Game changer or gamble? Geneva Gender Champions,
Graduate Insitute Programme on Gender and Global Change
3:00-4:30PM, Auditorium Ivan Pictet, Maison de la Paix
10 MARCH
Human Rights in Pakistan:
Women Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
9:00-10:00AM, Room XVIII
LGBTI persons and torture
Association for the Prevention of Torture
1:00-2:00PM, Room XXIV
11 MARCH
LGBT Rights
ARC International
11:00-12:00PM, Room XVIII
Human Rights in Syria: Women
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
1:30-2:30PM, Room XVIII
Click here for a list of NGO parallel events
Read the SRI & IPPF UPR
Toolkit for Sexual Rights Advocates
Available in
English, French, Portuguese, Spanish & Arabic.
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.