Request for sign-on: HRC42 Joint civil society statement on abortion rights

Published on September 13, 2019

In support of the upcoming International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September 28, the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition, Ipas, the Asia-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development , and CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the upcoming 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The focus of this year’s statement is on reproductive justice and abortion. This initiative builds on last year’s successful joint CSO statement to the Council when over 225 organizations signed on to the statement and we hope even more organizations across movements will voice their support this year!  The statement is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic for your review under the following links. 

Statement in English

Statement in French

Statement in Spanish

Statement in Russian

Statement in Arabic

The session runs from Sept. 9-27, 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. 23rd. A couple of requirements that need to be fulfilled include connecting the statement with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and observing the 1:30 -minute limit for the delivery of the statement. 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 used for promotion and dissemination.

We invite groups, organisations and individuals [Note: there is an option to keep your name anonymous] to sign on to the statement by Sept. 23rd, 9AM CET by filling out the following sign-on form and following its instructions:

Sign-on form in English: https://forms.gle/EZnzVbCLiyngjzHcA    

Sign-on form in French: https://forms.gle/oF3diZft3sPg7Qv96   

Sign-on form in Spanish: https://forms.gle/Kp3LL589QhDomkXGA   

Sign-on form in Russian: https://forms.gle/dRnBxuJLzz4CWpXP6   

Sign-on form in Arabic: https://forms.gle/P6a91yks1rb9r8NK8

Please also show your support by helping us to disseminate the statement far and wide with your networks. Thank you!