Did you miss it? Here’s what happened at HRC 56!

Published on July 18, 2024
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The 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 18 June to 12 July 2024. The ongoing liquidity crisis experienced by the United Nations, which deeply affects the Council’s functioning, has once again put civil society organisations under an additional and significant burden - especially when it comes to accessing hybrid modalities and organising side events.  

Below, you will find information on some of the key sexual rights-related:

 

Featured News

The 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council was historic in more ways than one. For the first time, a global delegation of sex workers participated in an HRC session, supported by the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) and SRI. The delegation successfully highlighted the years of work and advocacy by sex worker-led movements worldwide for the full decriminalisation of sex work, the right to bodily autonomy for all, and the need for the Human Rights Council to meaningfully listen to sex workers as rights holders. This was particularly evident in the statements delivered during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, where sex workers and allies, emphasised the harms caused by the criminalisation of any aspect of sex work, its conflation with trafficking, and the report's recommendations which could lead to a retrogression of human rights related to sex work. They called for the full decriminalisation of sex work and respect for sex workers’ labour rights. More information on the dialogue can be found in the dedicated section below.

The 56th session also marked the first time that the term “sexual and reproductive health and rights” was adopted by consensus in a globally negotiated document. This is a critical success in the decades-long struggle for the recognition of sexual and reproductive rights in multilateral processes.  However, for far too many people around the world, this achievement will not improve their daily lives. Whether because of war, as in the case of Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Sudan, or through unilateral coercive measures and other forms of financial bullying that lead to austerity measures, health systems across the globe are under threat. Defending or condoning these economic and political wars are many of the States who position themselves as champions of sexual and reproductive rights. Even under the best circumstances, sexual and reproductive rights are subject to instrumentalisation, cooptation, selective interpretation and a range of other geopolitical, structural and socio-cultural factors. Civil society and movements are important in pushing back against these challenges and in constantly asserting that rights are indivisible and universal.  


 

Decriminalising Sex Work: A Human Rights Imperative

SRI and NSWP Side-event at HRC 56

Multiple human rights mechanisms have reaffirmed and recommended to states that decriminalising sex work is a necessary pre-condition to the full realisation of human rights including but not limited to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Amongst the many principles that underpin the need to decriminalise sex work is the framework of the right to bodily autonomy, which highlights that consent and autonomy of all people are fundamental while making laws and policies. The side event has shown evidence from sex worker movements on the human rights imperative to decriminalise sex work and its interlinkage with States’ responsibility to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights of everyone.

Missed it? You can catch up with Twitter highlights from SRI. 

 

Sexual Rights-related Resolutions

Human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS – A/HRC/56/L.13 as orally revised

Led by Brazil, Colombia, Portugal, and Thailand and co-sponsored by 49 other countries as of 12 July 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution expresses concern over the funding gap for HIV prevention programmes for persons from key populations, specifically for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries. Significantly, for the first time, the resolution contains language on “sexual and reproductive health and rights “ in operative paragraphs 13, 16 and 17.

It recognises that addressing the holistic needs and rights of persons living with, at risk of or affected by HIV throughout the course of their lives requires combined interventions with efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions. This includes tackling extreme poverty, ending hunger, addressing improving food and nutrition security and access to free, non-discriminatory primary and secondary education, promoting healthy lives and well-being, providing access to HIV-sensitive social protection for all, reducing inequalities within and among countries, achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

The text also reaffirms the right to use, to the fullest extent, the provisions contained in the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which provides flexibilities for the protection of public health and promotes access to medicines for all, in particular for developing countries.

It urges States to ensure global accessibility, availability and affordability of safe, effective and quality-assured medicines, including generics, vaccines, diagnostics and other health technologies to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV infection and its co-infections and comorbidities by urgently removing, all barriers that hamper access.

The resolution requests a panel discussion, to be held at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council to discuss the realisation of human rights in sustaining and increasing the gains made in the HIV response. It also requests OHCHR to prepare and submit to the Human Rights Council, at its 60th session, a report on a sustainable HIV response about the human rights of persons living with, at risk of or affected by HIV. It further requests OHCHR to prepare another report on the impact, results and state of implementation of societal enablers by States, as recognized in the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030, and to present it to the Human Rights Council at its 64th session.

During the adoption process, the resolution was orally amended to include language on any measures inconsistent with international law that could hinder the supply, distribution or procurement of any HIV-related medical goods, including medications and medical equipment.

A total of 8 amendments were tabled. One was withdrawn; one was not considered by the Council as it was not co-sponsored by a member State, and the other six were rejected by vote. The amendments are provided below:

  • Insert language about the need to avoid measures that could hinder the supply, distribution or procurement of any HIV-related medical goods, tabled by Eritrea, Belarus, Iran and Russia and withdrawn due to the oral revision made by the Core Group.
  • Delete references to the “Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030” throughout the text, tabled by Russia and not considered as it was not sponsored by a member State of the Council.
  • Insert “responsible sexual behaviour” as a form of HIV prevention, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 23 against, 9 in favour and 13 abstentions.
  • Delete references to “sexual and reproductive health and rights”, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 25 against, 11 in favour and 9 abstentions.
  • Delete “gender” before “equality” in one of the preambular paragraphs, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 23 against, 9 in favour and 13 abstentions.
  • Delete “comprehensive sexuality” before “education” in one of the preambular paragraphs, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 23 against, 11 in favour and 11 abstentions.
  • Insert a new preambular paragraph stating that each country should define the specific populations that are key to their epidemic and response, based on the local epidemiological context, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 25 against, 12 in favour and 8 abstentions.
  • Replace “intersecting” for “all” before “forms of discrimination” and to insert “as appropriate” when referencing revision of punitive laws and policies, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 24 against, 6 in favour and 15 abstentions.

 

Watch the discussion and adoption. 

 

Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls – A/HRC/56/L.25/Rev.1

Led by Chile and Mexico and co-sponsored by 43 other countries as of 12 July 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution focuses on the gendered aspects of poverty and inequalities. It affirms that substantive equality is central to eradicating the feminisation of poverty and that it requires committing to the elimination of the root causes of structural discrimination, including deep-rooted patriarchal systems and gender stereotypes, harmful gender norms, negative social norms, sociopolitical and economic inequalities and systemic racism, as well as deeply entrenched social norms and expectations of gender roles that perpetuate unequal power relations, discriminatory attitudes, behaviours, norms, perceptions, customs, disregard for women’s and girls’ dignity, bodily integrity and autonomy, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage.

The text expresses concern about the large numbers of women and girls around the world, in particular those living in poverty or experiencing homelessness or displacement, who continue to face “menstrual poverty”. It also reaffirms that the full enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls includes sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, free from coercion, discrimination and violence. It recognises that sexual and reproductive health information, education and services are essential to combat poverty.

The resolution calls upon States to take immediate gender-responsive measures to eradicate women’s and girls’ poverty and to address gender and socioeconomic inequalities and achieve substantive equality. Crucially, it encourages international and regional economic, financial and monetary institutions and their member States to consider adopting human rights-based approaches that prioritise sustainable development and the elimination of poverty and gendered socioeconomic and sociopolitical inequalities.

It requests OHCHR to prepare a report on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee: “Current levels of representation of women in human rights organs and mechanisms”, and to present it to the Council at its 62nd session.

A total of 7 amendments were tabled. Two were withdrawn and the other five were rejected by vote. The amendments are provided below:

  • Delete “evidence-based comprehensive sexuality education” and insert “scientifically accurate and age-appropriate education”, tabled by Kuwait, on behalf of the Group of Arab States, and rejected by 23 against, 19 in favour and 3 abstentions.
  • Delete multiple references of “sexual and reproductive health” throughout the text, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 23 against, 11 in favour and 11 abstentions.
  • Delete references to “bodily integrity and autonomy” throughout the text, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 22 against, 12 in favour and 11 abstentions.
  • Replace “gender” for “sex”, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 25 against, 9 in favour and 11 abstentions.
  • Insert a reference to “as nationally appropriate” to an operative paragraph asking for the repeal of laws and policies that are discriminatory to women, tabled by Russia and withdrawn.
  • Insert “women’s ability” before “fully, equally and meaningfully participate”, tabled by Russia, co-sponsored by Indonesia, and rejected by 26 against, 6 in favour and 13 abstentions.
  • Insert references to “unilateral coercive measures” throughout the text, tabled by Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Iran, Venezuela and withdrawn. 

 

Watch the discussion and adoption.


 

Menstrual hygiene management, human rights and gender equality – A/HRC/56/L.26

Led by Gambia (on behalf of the Group of African States), and co-sponsored by 12 other countries as of 11 July 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution this year focused on the adverse effects of health issues relating to menstruation, and lack of access to appropriate information and treatment, particularly in rural and remote areas. The resolution recognises that the lack of access to adequate water and sanitation services, including in rural and remote areas, negatively affects gender equality and women’s and girls’ enjoyment of human rights.

The text expresses concern over the silence, stigma, misconceptions and taboos around menstruation, particularly in rural and remote areas, and the absence of appropriate information and education on menstrual hygiene management, as they undermine the dignity, rights and wellbeing of women and girls and constitute therefore an obstacle to the achievement of gender equality.

It calls upon States to eliminate or reduce all taxes on menstrual hygiene management products, to provide support to women and girls, as well as to promote national social protection policies. The text also urges States to ensure access to infrastructure and public services, including access to safe and affordable water and sanitation, as well as menstrual hygiene management, for all women and girls.

The resolution requests an OHCHR report on good practices and problems encountered in menstrual hygiene management and to submit it to the Human Rights Council at its 62nd session (October 2025).

Watch the discussion and adoption.

 

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence – A/HRC/56/L.15 as orally revised

Led by Belgium, Albania, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Morocco and co-sponsored by 35 other countries as of 11 July 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

It recalls States on their commitment to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, occurring online and offline through or amplified by the use of digital technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence.

The resolution requests the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee to prepare a study on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and its impact on women and girls in consultation with key stakeholders, including Special Procedures.

Two amendments were tabled by Qatar on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. One of them, L.35, was amended one hour before the meeting. The amendments are provided below:

  • Change the title of the resolution to “Violence against women and girls, including gender-based violence, that occurs through or is amplified by the use of technology”, as well as to replace, on the operative paragraph, “technology-facilitated gender-based violence and its impacts on women and girls” with “violence against women and girls, including gender-based violence, that occurs through or is amplified by the use of technology”, tabled by Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates and rejected by 24 against, 15 in favour and 6 abstentions.
  • Insert “in close cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences” on the operative paragraph that mandates the study on the issue to be conducted by the HRC Advisory Committee. It was tabled by Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and rejected by 26 against, 17 in favour and 3 abstentions.

Watch the discussion and adoption.

 

Accelerating progress towards preventing adolescent girls’ pregnancy – A/HRC/56/L.24 as orally revised

Led by Mauritius and Panama, and co-sponsored by 13 other countries as of 12 July 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus. 

The resolution text expresses concern that pregnant adolescent girls face social and economic consequences which limit their future educational and employment opportunities and economic empowerment and their ability to participate in public affairs and perpetuate intergenerational cycles of poverty. It also recognises that the drivers of adolescent girls’ pregnancy include factors such as poverty, social exclusion, gender inequality, gender stereotypes and negative social norms, among others, including inadequate social protection measures and inequalities within and among countries.

It requests OHCHR to prepare a report on how to accelerate progress towards preventing adolescent girls’ pregnancy and to present the report to the Council at its 62nd session.

Watch the discussion and adoption.
 

Other relevant resolutions

  • Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors, and the independence of lawyers (Hungary, Australia, Botswana, Maldives, Mexico, Thailand) - A/HRC/56/L.3
  • Strengthening documentation within the Human Rights Council: webcasts (Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal) - A/HRC/56/L.7/Rev.1
  • Safety of the child in the digital environment (Egypt, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Senegal, Singapore, United Arab Emirates) - A/HRC/56/L.11/Rev.1
  • Freedom of opinion and expression (Netherlands, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Sweden) - A/HRC/56/L.12
  • Human rights and climate change (Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Philippines) - A/HRC/56/L.14/Rev.1
  • Mandate of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement (Gambia, on behalf of the Group of African States) - A/HRC/56/L.21
  • The promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests (Switzerland, Costa Rica) - A/HRC/56/L.19/Rev.1

 

Sexual Rights-related Discussions

Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women

​Theme: Economic violence against women and girls 

The panel discussed how economic violence is a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women and girls. It discussed how the international human rights framework can provide comprehensive pathways to protect women’s right to live a life free from all forms of gender-based violence.

Watch the debate on UN Web TV or see our highlights in this Twitter thread. SRI made a statement during the panel discussion, which you can watch here.
 

Theme: Human rights economy and women’s rights

The panel discussed how economic systems affect women’s human rights and how such systems can be transformed through the human rights economy to advance women’s rights and gender equality. The discussions focused on the human rights economy aims at eliminating discrimination and reducing inequalities by investing in economic and social rights, the right to development and other rights, and dismantling structural barriers and other impediments to equality, justice, sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

Watch the debate on UN Web TV. SRI made a joint statement during the panel discussion, which you can watch here.


 

SRI Oral Statements

  • Statement during the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, commenting on her report on drug use, harm reduction and the right to health. Watch the statement here and read it here. Watch part 1 and part 2 of the discussion on UN Web TV.
  • Statement during the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women, on the panel “Economic violence against women and girls”. Watch the statement here and read it here. Watch the panel on UN Web TV, and see our live coverage of this dialogue on Twitter.
  • UPR outcome of Mexico: read the statement here and watch the adoption here.
  • UPR outcome of Nigeria: read the statement here and watch the adoption here.

 

Joint oral statements

  • Joint statement with AWID and NSWP, for the interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, commenting on their report which takes stock of the Working Group’s work over the past six years and presents their vision for the future. Watch the discussion and our statement on UN Web TV, and see our coverage on Twitter. 
  • Joint statement with AWID during the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women, on the panel “Human rights economy and women’s rights”. Watch the debate, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with IDPC, GAATW, WHRIN and IWRAW, during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, commenting on the joint report by the UN Special Rapporteurs on poverty and housing on ending the criminalisation of homelessness and poverty. Watch the discussion on UN Web TV.
  • UPR outcome of Malaysia: joint statement with North South Initiative. Watch the adoption.


 

Oral statements in support of sex workers’ rights delivered at the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls

Several sex workers and allies delivered statements in support of sex workers' rights during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and commented on her latest report. The report advocates for the Nordic Model (or “end demand”) approach to sex work,  among other very harmful recommendations for sex workers' rights. The report disregards the many inputs sent by sex workers and allies (including by NSWP members and others whose submissions were compiled by CountMeIn!), advocates for a retrogression in human rights standards related to sex work, and contrasts with the many recommendations by UN bodies for the full decriminalisation of sex work, including most recently by the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls and the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, among others, and including in submissions to the report by the Special Rapporteurs on slavery and health as well as by UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights. The report represents a serious retrogression from human rights standards related to sex work and comes after previous retrogressions and harmful positions advocated by the mandate-holder in relation to gender and gender identity.

During the dialogue, sex workers condemned the report's misrepresentation of their lives and experiences and highlighted the harms of the criminalisation of any aspect of sex work, which results in violence, including from the police. They also criticised the report's lack of recognition of sex work as work and as the term widely used by sex worker movements worldwide. Sex workers demanded to be part of all discussions and decisions relating to their lives and rights at the UN and beyond, and called for the full decriminalisation of sex work and for labour rights, including safe working conditions. They objected to the "End demand" approach advocated by the report which leads to a range of human rights violations against sex workers. They also objected to the report's assertion that sex workers are "bad mothers" whose children are the result of violence and face a series of serious violations.

Sex workers and allies also challenged the report's dismissal of sex workers' agency, consent, autonomy, and inputs to the report, of all the evidence supporting decriminalisation, as well as its reliance on stigmatising terminology. They also criticised the harms caused by the report's recommendations, including its conflation of sources of law on trafficking and sexual exploitation of children with sex work, which leads to ineffective responses and contradicts international human rights standards applicable to sex work and trafficking. A survivor of child trafficking also challenged the report's infantilisation and dismissal of survivors' ability to consent, its conflation of the needs of children and adults, and raised concerns with the report's approach to combating trafficking. Allies also expressed solidarity with sex workers and their struggle for bodily autonomy, full decriminalisation, and labour rights.

 

Watch the NGO statements made during the interactive dialogue at this link, or read them below. 

 

Statements by sex workers:

 

Statements by allies:


 

UPR Outcomes

The 56th session included the adoption of the outcomes of countries reviewed during the ​​​​​​​​​​ 45th working group session of the Universal Periodic Review, which took place from 22 January to 2 February 2024. The council adopted all 14 outcomes from the reviews of the following countries: Belize, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Congo, Jordan, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Senegal.

Among the 14 outcomes adopted during this session, the SRI collaborated with organisations and activists in preparing reports for the UPR reviews of Malaysia and Nigeria.

We made a statement to the adoption of Mexico’s UPR outcome. Watch the adoption here.  At the UPR outcome of Malaysia, we made a joint statement with the North South Initiative. Watch the adoption. We also made a statement during the adoption of the UPR outcome of Nigeria, which you can read here and watch the adoption here.

 

SRI Side Event 

Decriminalising Sex Work: A Human Rights Imperative

The side event was organised in partnership with the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), and co-sponsored by Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Amnesty International, Akãhatã, Association of Progressive Communications, AWID, WO=MEN, MamaCash, JASS, CREA, ICJ, Urgent Action Fund, Our Voices Our Futures (OVOF), Women Deliver, IPPF, Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE), Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), Urgent Action Fund Africa, IWRAW Asia Pacific, ILGA World and Human Rights Watch.

Multiple human rights mechanisms have reaffirmed and recommended to states that decriminalising sex work is a necessary pre-condition for the full realisation of human rights including but not limited to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Amongst the many principles that underpin the need to decriminalise sex work is the framework of the right to bodily autonomy, which highlights that consent and autonomy of all people are fundamental when making laws and policies. 

Sex worker movements worldwide have, time and again, highlighted that decriminalisation is the only way to ensure that the rights of everyone are protected, including ensuring safe working conditions, social protection, and access to judicial remedies in case of violations. Yet, sex work advocacy is often hampered by state and non-state actors that undermine sex workers' rights by conflating sex work with trafficking or by framing all sex work as violence. In both these instances, sex workers are seen as passive subjects in need of protection and, consequently, need to be rescued and/or rehabilitated. Such measures vitiate the consent of the person concerned. The impact of these is harmful to sex workers and those who are trafficked, as the assumptions behind this approach don’t take into account the realities of either.

At the side event, sex workers from different parts of the world addressed the impact of different legal regimes on the issue. This side event has shown evidence from sex worker movements on the human rights imperative to decriminalise sex work if states want to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights of everyone.

 

Speakers: 

  • Jules Kim, Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP)
  • Phelister Abdalla, Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA)
  • Kholi Buthelezi, Sisonke National Movement
  • Leticia Britez, Zona Roja Paraguay and PLAPERTS

Moderator

  • Carrie Shelver, Sexual Rights Initiative

If you missed the event, you can catch up with Twitter highlights from SRI. 

 

Events co-sponsored by SRI

Corporate Accountability and State Obligations: Addressing Corporate Complicity in Israel's Genocide, Apartheid, Settler-Colonialism and other international crimes.

Side event organised by CUAE, Geneva With Palestine, CEP-UNIGE, and co-sponsored by FIAN-International, Third World Network, SOMO, Al-Haq, ESCR-Net, Sexual Rights Initiative, ISHR, Contre-Attaque & Autonomie

There were two separate events organised on this topic. The first was at the University of Geneva, on 25 June, and the second at the Palais des Nations, on 3 July. The events focused on corporate complicity and related State obligations in the context of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and its overall apartheid and settler-colonial project against the Palestinian people.

 

Repression of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly  in solidarity with Palestinian human rights

Side event organised by Amnesty International and co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union, International Service for Human Rights, Sexual Rights Initiative, INCLO and Article 19

The side event examined the clampdown by states on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression for people seeking to communicate their solidarity with Palestinians and/or their criticisms of the state of Israel for its responsibility for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Watch the recording of the side event here.

 

Drug use, harm reduction and the right to health

Side event organised by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health and co-sponsored by The Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations in Geneva, The Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva, The Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations in Geneva, The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in Geneva, The Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations in Geneva, OHCHR, Sexual Rights Initiative, Global Commission on Drug Policy and UNAIDS.

The side event discussed the Special Rapporteur’s recent report on the issue, examining gaps in adopting a human rights-based approach in public health and harm reduction. It amplified the call to end the ‘war on drugs’ and strategized on how to expeditiously adopt at national levels, reparative approaches through evidence-based harm reduction.

Read the report here.