The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 8 September to 8 October 2025. The ongoing liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations, which significantly impacts the Council’s functioning, has once again put civil society organisations under an additional and significant burden. Chronic underfunding continues to erode the UN’s ability to deliver on its human rights mandate, widening accountability gaps and limiting responses to global emergencies. This failure is evident in Gaza, where the genocide against the Palestinian people persists despite mounting documentation and condemnation from UN experts, such as the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and civil society.
Below, you will find information on some of the key sexual rights-related:
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As the UN multilateral system faces mounting crises of legitimacy and liquidity, it is more urgent than ever to defend and expand spaces where civil society can actively hold states accountable for their human rights obligations. For us, sexuality is, at its core, about power. Understanding power in its structural forms is essential: without accountability and solidarity, sexual rights cannot be fully realised. Sexual rights are shaped and constrained by interconnected global crises, unchecked extractivism, climate degradation, violent populism and toxic nationalism, widening inequalities within and between states and entrenched patriarchal, racist, classist, and ableist systems of oppression. Realising sexual rights, therefore, requires advancing the self-determination and collective liberation of all peoples.
During the session, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel released its “Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide”, concluding that Israel’s actions since October 2023 meet the legal threshold for several underlying acts of genocide. The Commission found that Israeli forces intended to kill and cause the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza through the military operations and war strategies employed, and reaffirmed that all States have a legal duty to prevent and punish genocide and to end complicity through political and material support.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian maritime initiative ever organised to challenge Israel’s unlawful siege of Gaza, reflected ongoing civil society efforts to demand accountability and compliance with international law, echoing the concerns outlined in the Commission of Inquiry’s genocide report. Its violent interception in international waters further illustrated the disregard for international law and the persistent failure of the international community to act. UN Special Rapporteurs have reiterated that Israel’s naval blockade and the interception of the vessels violate international law and form part of the ongoing genocidal campaign. The Council heard renewed calls for accountability and decisive international action to end ongoing violations in Gaza, and for all States to fulfil their obligations to prevent genocide and uphold their legal obligations under international law. Listen to our joint statement, in collaboration with the crew of the Wahoo, a Global Sumud Flotilla vessel, AWID, Women Deliver and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, echoing these demands here.
These calls for accountability were also reflected in the International Safe Abortion Day joint statement, endorsed by over 230 organisations and individuals, which linked reproductive justice to broader struggles against impunity in Gaza, Sudan, and the DRC. While the Council adopted by consensus the resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, this progress stands in contrast with the broader failure of the international system to respond to intersecting crises and uphold the universality and indivisibility of human rights. Listen to the delivery of the statement at the Council and see the full list of signatories here.
Sexual Rights at the UN HRC: Past, Present, and Future
SRI’s side event “Sexual Rights at the UN HRC: Past, Present & Future” brought together SRI’s partners to reflect on how sexual rights have evolved within the Council and what lies ahead. Panellists highlighted both the progress achieved, such as broader recognition of sexual rights and bodily autonomy, and the persistent challenges posed by political backlash, funding cuts, and shrinking civic space.
Discussions underscored the urgency of sustaining cross-movement solidarity and strengthening accountability within a multilateral system under strain.
Watch some clips from our panellists' presentations on our instagram account.
Sexual Rights-related Resolutions
Preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights – A/HRC/60/L.20/Rev.1 as orally revised
Led by New Zealand, Colombia and Estonia, and co-sponsored by 42 other countries as of 7 October 2025. The resolution was adopted by consensus.
The resolution highlights that most maternal deaths are avoidable and result from systemic inequalities, including discriminatory laws and practices, harmful gender norms, lack of quality health services, shortages of skilled health workers, and insufficient political will and funding. The text situates maternal mortality within broader determinants such as poverty, conflict, environmental degradation, and gender inequality. It stresses the importance of a human rights-based approach grounded in equality, accountability, participation, and non-discrimination. It also recognises the vital role of midwifery and respectful, person-centred maternal care, free from coercion and violence, as essential to realising women’s and girls’ rights to health, bodily autonomy, and dignity.
The resolution urges States to strengthen health systems, ensure universal access to quality and affordable sexual and reproductive health services, and integrate midwifery and community-based models of care. It calls for the removal of legal and practical barriers to care, the repeal of discriminatory laws, and the guarantee of informed choice and consent in all medical procedures. States are encouraged to invest in data collection, training, and gender-responsive budgeting to ensure accountability, remedies, and access to justice for violations, and to adopt intersectional approaches addressing poverty, racism, and structural inequality. The resolution also requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to facilitate consultations and compile best practices for implementing updated technical guidance on a human rights-based approach to ending preventable maternal mortality, to be presented at the Human Rights Council’s 66th session.
A total of five amendments were tabled. Two amendments were withdrawn, and the other three were rejected by vote. The amendments are provided below:
- Delete references to bodily autonomy. Tabled by Algeria on behalf of the Group of Arab States and rejected by 26 votes against, 13 in favour, and 7 abstentions.
- Insert caveats on references to comprehensive sexuality education by adding language specifying that it should be “scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and relevant to cultural contexts.” Tabled by Algeria on behalf of the Group of Arab States and rejected by 26 votes against, 13 in favour, and 7 abstentions.
- Amend language on “sexual and reproductive health and rights” by adding qualifiers such as “including but not limited to” and emphasising cultural contexts and national law, while modifying references to bodily autonomy. Tabled by Algeria on behalf of the Group of Arab States and rejected by 26 votes against, 13 in favour, and 7 abstentions.
- Replace the term “health services” with “healthcare services” throughout the text. Tabled by Russia and withdrawn.
- Replace “human rights-based approach” with “an approach based on full respect for international human rights law” throughout the text. Tabled by Russia and withdrawn.
Watch the discussion and adoption.
Impact of drug policies on human rights - A/HRC/60/L.31/Rev.1 as orally revised
Led by Colombia, Albania, Brazil, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay, and co-sponsored by 25 other countries as of 8 October 2025. The resolution was adopted by consensus.
The resolution reaffirms that human rights must be at the centre of global drug policy, emphasising health, dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. It underscores the importance of drug control measures being evidence-based, gender-responsive, and consistent with international human rights law and the Sustainable Development Goals. The text highlights access to essential medicines, harm reduction, and alternative development as key to reducing the social, economic, and environmental harms linked to drug production and enforcement.
It calls on States to consider alternatives to incarceration for minor offences, ensure that drug policies address the specific needs of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable groups, and promote meaningful participation of civil society and affected communities. The resolution also urges stronger action against racial discrimination in drug policy, requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the human rights impacts of drug control (with a focus on women and girls), and mandates an intersessional panel discussion to advance system-wide coherence between human rights and drug control bodies.
A total of four amendments were tabled by Russia and they were all rejected by vote. The amendments are provided below:
- Amend the title of the resolution from “The human rights implications of drug policy” to “The human rights implications of the world drug problem.” Tabled by Russia and rejected by 26 votes against, 8 in favour, and 13 abstentions.
- To replace “harm reduction services” with “effective, comprehensive, scientific evidence-based demand reduction initiatives”. Tabled by Russia and rejected by 25 votes against, 10 in favour, and 12 abstentions.
- Insert language to prioritize States’ obligations under the three international drug control conventions over a human rights–based approach. Tabled by Russia and rejected by 24 votes against, 13 in favour, and 10 abstentions.
- Replace the term “drug users” with “people with drug use disorders” throughout the text. Tabled by Russia and rejected by 25 votes against, 9 in favour, and 13 abstentions.
Watch the discussion and adoption.
Promotion and protection of the human rights of women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations: ensuring justice, remedies and reparation for victims – A/HRC/60/L.28
Led by Qatar and Costa Rica, and co-sponsored by 20 other countries as of 7 October 2025. The resolution was adopted by consensus.
The resolution reaffirms States’ obligations to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law in protecting women and children affected by armed conflict and occupation. It expresses concern that women and children continue to face disproportionate harm, including displacement, sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The text highlights the need to ensure humanitarian access, protect civilian infrastructure, and end impunity for violations that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The resolution calls on States to criminalise such violations, prosecute perpetrators, and guarantee access to justice, remedies, and reparation for victims. It urges measures to ensure women’s full and meaningful participation in peace and recovery processes, protect children associated with armed groups as victims, and secure safe delivery of humanitarian aid. It also requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare an analytical report on best practices and challenges to accountability and reparation, to be presented at the Human Rights Council’s 63rd session.
Watch the discussion and adoption.
Other relevant resolutions
- The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (Brazil) - A/HRC/60/L.19
- The human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation (Germany, Spain) - A/HRC/60/L.10
- Promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities (China) - A/HRC/60/L.27/Rev.1
- The right to development (Uganda, on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned countries) - A/HRC/60/L.5
- A world of sports free from racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (Brazil and Ghana, on behalf of the African Group) - A/HRC/60/L.22
- From rhetoric to reality: a global call to concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (Ghana, on behalf of the Group of African States) - A/HRC/60/L.29/Rev.1
- Human rights of older persons (Argentina, Brazil, the Gambia, the Philippines and Slovenia) - A/HRC/60/L.15
Sexual Rights-related Discussions
Panel discussion on combating discrimination, violence and harmful practices against intersex persons
The panel discussion highlighted the urgent need to protect the rights and dignity of people with innate variations in sex characteristics. Panellists discussed the persistence of harmful medical practices and discriminatory laws, underscoring the importance of legal and policy reforms grounded in informed consent, bodily autonomy and equality.
Watch the debate on UN Web TV. SRI made a joint statement during the panel discussion, which can be viewed here.
Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms
Theme: Strengthening gender perspectives in transitional justice processes
The annual panel on the integration of a gender perspective at the Human Rights Council focused on strengthening gender perspectives in transitional justice processes. Panellists discussed how transitional justice often reduces gender to sexual violence, overlooking broader systemic harms such as economic exclusion, political marginalisation and violations of sexual and reproductive rights.
Watch the debate on UN Web TV. SRI made a statement during the panel discussion, which can be viewed here.
Biennial panel discussion on unilateral coercive measures
Theme: Impact of unilateral coercive measures and overcompliance on the right to food and food security
The biennial panel on unilateral coercive measures and human rights focused this year on their impact on the right to food and food security. Panellists discussed the impact of overcompliance including disruptions to food systems and restriction on access to essential goods, particularly in developing countries. They emphasised that such measures undermine the right to an adequate standard of living and sustainable development, calling for strengthened international cooperation, accountability, and the removal of restrictions that impede humanitarian access and food availability.
Watch the debate on UN Web TV.
SRI Oral Statements
- SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, commenting on the report on Access to Justice and Effective Remedies in the Context of Toxics. Watch the interactive dialogue, along with our statement, on UN Web TV.
- SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, commenting on the report on the right to social protection and the right to work of older persons. Watch the interactive dialogue, along with our statement, on UN Web TV.
- Akãhatã’s statement to the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development, commenting on his report on the visit to Honduras. Watch the interactive dialogue, along with our statement, on UN Web TV.
- SRI statement to the Annual Discussion on the Integration of a Gender Perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms. Watch the panel discussion and our statement on UN Web TV.
- SRI Statement to the General Debate on item 6 (UPR), commenting on the risk of the UPR mechanism being instrumentalised to rubber-stamp States’ apathy and underperformance. Watch our statement on UN Web TV.
Joint oral statements
- Two joint statements during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, commenting on his report on the nexus between gender equality and the right to development.
- Joint statement with the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), ILGA World, Feminist Diplomacy Lab, and Women Deliver. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
- Joint statement with the Center for Reproductive Rights and ILGA World. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
- Joint statement with AWID, Feminist Diplomacy Lab, ILGA World and the Women’s Major Group during the interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the right to development, commenting on their annual report. Watch the interactive dialogue, along with our statement, on UN Web TV.
- Joint statement with Action Canada and the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) to the Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, commenting on the report of its visit to Canada. Watch the interactive dialogue, along with our statement, on UN Web TV.
- Joint statement with InterAction for Health and Human Rights to the Panel discussion on combating discrimination, violence and harmful practices against intersex persons. Watch the panel discussion and our statement on UN Web TV.
- Joint Statement with Amnesty International, Center for Reproductive Rights, COLAGE, Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), Just Futures Collaborative, Global Health Justice Partnership of the Yale Law and Public Health Schools, Global Justice Center, ILGA World, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Outright International, Sama, Feminist Resource Group on Gender & Health, SekswerkExpertise, Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), SPW- ABIA, Brazil, and Woodhull Freedom Foundation, during the General Debate on Item 3 (Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights), in support for the joint statement by 47 UN Special Procedures emphasising the need for states to advance gender equality, uphold feminist contributions, and take concrete action to counter regressive and discriminatory approaches.
- Joint statement during the General Debate on Item 8 (Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action) endorsed by over 230 organisations and individuals on the International Safe Abortion Day, linking reproductive justice to broader struggles against impunity in Gaza, Sudan, and the DRC. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
- Joint statement with the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development and Women Deliver, during the General Debate on Item 9 (Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance), condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Western complicity, and highlighting the civilian flotilla challenging the siege and to open a humanitarian corridor. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
- UPR outcome of Armenia: joint statement with the Women’s Resource Centre. Watch the adoption.
- UPR outcome of Kenya: joint statement with the Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa and Right Here Right Now Kenya. Watch the adoption.
- UPR outcome of Sweden: joint statement with Red Umbrella Sweden. Watch the adoption.
UPR Outcomes
The 60th session included the adoption of the outcomes of countries reviewed during the 49th working group session of the Universal Periodic Review, which took place from 28 April to 9 May 2025. The council adopted all 14 outcomes from the reviews of the following countries: Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Guinea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Spain, Lesotho, Kenya, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Sweden, Grenada, Turkey, Guyana, and Kuwait.
SRI collaborated with organisations and activists to prepare reports for the UPR reviews of Armenia, Kenya and Sweden.
We made a joint statement with the Women’s Resource Centre on the adoption of Armenia’s UPR outcome. Watch the adoption. At the UPR outcome of Kenya, we made a joint statement with the Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa and Right Here Right Now Kenya. Watch the adoption. At the adoption of Sweden’s UPR, we made a joint statement with Red Umbrella Sweden.
SRI Side Event
Sexual Rights at the UN HRC: Past, Present, and Future
Over the years, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) has increasingly recognised sexual rights, though progress has been uneven. Early efforts focused on broadening the understanding of sexual rights and fostering more inclusive participation, particularly amplifying voices from the Global South.
Today, sexual rights advocacy at the HRC is shaped by a complex political and institutional landscape. Ongoing challenges in accountability mechanisms and persistent funding constraints intersect within a multilateral system under strain. Despite these obstacles, there are significant opportunities for feminist and sexual rights actors to strengthen advocacy, collaboration, and strategic engagement within the HRC. This side event provided a platform for reflection on these developments and for collectively envisioning strategies for advancing sexual rights in the coming years.
The side event traced the evolution of sexual rights within the Human Rights Council, examined current challenges and opportunities, including the participation of sex workers, and fostered dialogue among feminist and sexual rights advocates to share strategies and identify future pathways for advancing sexual rights globally.
Speakers:
- Meghan Doherty, Action Canada for Population and Development
- Sunita Kujur, CREA
- Maria Luisa Peralta, Akahata
- Lobna Darwish, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
- Trajche Janushev, Sex Workers' Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Moderated by Pooja Badarinath, Sexual Rights Initiative
Side events co-sponsored by SRI
Fulfilling the Human Rights of Intersex People
The side event highlighted progress and remaining challenges in advancing intersex rights since the adoption of HRC resolution 55/14. Panellists discussed persistent violations, including discrimination, non-consensual medical interventions, and lack of legal protections, while showcasing emerging reforms and advocacy efforts to promote bodily autonomy and self-determination. The discussion emphasised the urgent need for States to adopt intersex-inclusive laws and policies, ensure meaningful participation of intersex persons in decision-making, and strengthen UN engagement to advance equality and human rights for people with diverse sex characteristics worldwide.
Co-organised by InterAction for Health and Human Rights, OII Europe, ILGA World, Outright International, COC Netherlands, Women Deliver, IPPF, African Intersex Movement, Intersex Asia and the Sexual Rights Initiative.
Reproductive Violence and Genocidal Acts in Gaza
Organised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation and co-sponsored by Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), Women Deliver, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). It examined how Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has specifically targeted women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. Panellists discussed findings from the UN Commission of Inquiry identifying reproductive violence and assaults on health facilities as genocidal acts and crimes against humanity. The event called attention to the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, denial of reproductive care, and the broader gendered dimensions of the genocide, emphasising the need for accountability, feminist solidarity, and urgent international action to uphold reproductive justice and human rights for women and girls in Gaza.