Sign-on: HRC51 joint civil society statement on abortion

Published on September 07, 2022

In support of the upcoming International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September, 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, the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, MSI Reproductive Choices and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

The focus of this year’s statement is to highlight the trend of liberalisation of abortion in the world and that denial of abortion is violation of  human rights and fundamental freedoms. This initiative builds on our previous joint statements on abortion to the Council these past 4 years, including last year’s statement signed by over 300 organizations and 300 individuals. We hope you will join us and sign on again this year!  The statement is available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic for your review. 

We invite groups, organizations and individuals [Note: there is an option to keep your name anonymous] to sign on to the statement by September 29, 3.00 PM CEST by filling out the following sign-on form and following its instructions:

The HRC session runs from 12 September to 7 October, and the statement will be delivered during the general debate on the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, scheduled on Friday, 30 September. 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.