Did you miss it? Here’s what happened at HRC 57!

Published on октября 18, 2024

The 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 9 September to 11 October 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 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council went by without any accountability for the ongoing genocide in Gaza by Israel and its backers, despite the passing of one year since the aggression against Gaza, despite acts of aggression on other countries, despite multiple human rights mechanisms highlighting the need for an arms embargo and human rights organisations calling for accountability. The multilateral system has shown, yet again, that powerful states not only hold the system hostage but also ensure that the application of human rights is neither universal nor inalienable. 

At the 57th session, we also commemorated International Safe Abortion Day, with the joint statement endorsed by 367 organisations and 326 individuals, which called for a new sustainable development model that prioritises equal and equitable access to all resources for all, and values people over profits. This necessarily means, that for the UN to be credible and relevant, human rights are not selectively applied, and genocidal regimes and all their backers are held accountable. We demand a human rights system where multinational corporations do not profit over the mass killings of people. We demand a system that centres reproductive justice and bodily autonomy for all. A system that ensures that all marginalised people are able to exercise control over their reproductive lives enables them to fully participate in social, cultural, and political life. A system that recognises and ensures the right of self-determination of all peoples including Palestinian people.

 

Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion

Since 2017, SRI has led the mobilisation of civil society groups on International Safe Abortion Day at the UN Human Rights Council in support of a joint statement on abortion. The focus of this year’s statement highlighted the significant impact of economic and political systems on abortion access and the need for a sustainable development model that centres reproductive justice and bodily autonomy for all. This initiative builds on our previous joint statements on abortion to the Council these past 6 years, including last year’s statement signed by over 300 organisations and individuals. You can read the statement here, and watch its delivery here during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

 

Feminist approaches to the right to development

SRI Side-event at HRC 57

Development is never a purely economic idea as it is often presented as being in multilateral fora. Instead, it is the foundation upon which all human rights rest. A holistic and people-centred understanding of development takes into account both systemic and individual discrimination. As we witness discussions during HRC 57, in a multilateral system which is gridlocked and apparently unmovable, it is necessary to understand the ideological underpinnings of key concepts as elaborated by social movements, and not by narrow political machinations. Development and human rights, while often positioned as counter to each other in the Human Rights Council, are vehicles for achieving economic, social and environmental justice for people. The side event featured a discussion on the definitions and understandings of the term development and examined its uses from a feminist and Global South perspective.

 

 

Sexual Rights-related Resolutions

 

Elimination of domestic violenceA/HRC/57/L.35/Rev.1

Led by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and co-sponsored by 58 other countries as of 10 October 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution highlights that domestic violence is one of the least visible forms of violence, and can be perpetrated against anyone, regardless of socioeconomic background and

level of education and deals with domestic violence against women and children. The resolution also recognises gender-based violence, including domestic violence in historical and structural inequality in power relations. The resolution further highlights measures to prevent and eliminate domestic violence against women and girls, as they are disproportionately affected by such violence highlighting the need for states to empower women and to strengthen their economic independence. The resolution calls upon states to adopt, strengthen and implement legislation that prohibits domestic violence involving physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence and threats thereof, including violence that occurs through or is amplified by the use of technology. Crucially, the resolution reaffirms intimate partner violence as a form of domestic violence. 

Watch the discussion and adoption. 

 

The human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation A/HRC/57/L.23/Rev.1

Led by Germany and Spain and co-sponsored by 65 other countries as of 10 October 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution recalls that 14 years after the recognition of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation and nine years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, integrated approaches that support the practical realisation of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, in particular by tackling inequalities and ensuring that special attention is paid to the needs and rights of all women and girls, are more pertinent than ever before.

It also expresses concern about the risk that all women and girls face such as attacks, sexual and gender-based violence, harassment and other threats to their safety while collecting household water or when accessing sanitation facilities. The text expresses concern about the lack of equitable access to adequate water and sanitation services, including for menstrual health and hygiene, especially in schools and other educational settings, workplaces, health centres and public facilities and buildings, as well as with the widespread silence and stigma surrounding menstrual health and hygiene, which means that women and girls often lack basic information thereon and are excluded and stigmatised and thus prevented from realising their full rights.

Watch the discussion and adoption.

 

Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for ActionA/HRC/57/L.2

Led by China, Denmark, France, Kenya, and Mexico, and co-sponsored by 106 other countries as of 9 October 2024. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

The resolution notes that 2025 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and welcomes the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls while stressing that challenges and obstacles remain in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The text calls for the convening of a high-level panel discussion to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, with a particular focus on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome documents of its review conferences, as well as on achievements, best practices and challenges in this regard, to take place at the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council fifty-eighth session in February 2025.

Watch the discussion and adoption.
 

Other relevant resolutions

  • The role of good governance in the promotion and protection of human rights (Poland, Australia, Chile, Republic of Korea and South Africa) - A/HRC/57/L.5
  • Countering cyberbullying (Argentina, Germany, Greece, Israel) - A/HRC/57/L.7
  • Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (Cuba) - A/HRC/57/L.9
  • The right to development (Uganda, on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries) - A/HRC/57/L.19
  • Human rights of migrants (Mexico) - A/HRC/57/L.27
  • Human rights and Indigenous Peoples (Mexico, Guatemala) - A/HRC/57/L.29/Rev.1
  • Youth and human rights (El Salvador, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Tunisia, Uzbekistan) - A/HRC/57/L.30
  • Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change (Marshall Islands, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), Panama, Paraguay, Poland) - A/HRC/57/L.31/Rev.1
  • Education as a tool to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (Brazil, Colombia, Portugal, South Africa) - A/HRC/57/L.25
  • From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (Mexico) - A/HRC/57/L.36/Rev.1


 

Sexual Rights-related Discussions

Panel discussion on pro​motin​g and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities

The panel provided a platform to discuss best practices and challenges in the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, within the context of addressing inequalities, and ways that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other international human rights mechanisms can best contribute to the efforts of States in relation to this issue.

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


Panel discussion on the implementation of States’ obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members

The panel marked the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the discussion addressed the implementation of States’ obligations under relevant provisions of international human rights law on the role of the family in supporting the protection and promotion of human rights of its members, challenges and best practices.

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


Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms

Theme: Enhancing gender integration in human rights investigations: a victim-centred perspective

The panel provided an assessment of the progress made in integrating a gender perspective into the work of investigative bodies and discussed strategies to strengthen the integration of a victim-centred approach through the conduct of trauma-informed interviews as well as best practices and challenges in the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, within the context of addressing inequalities, and ways that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other international human rights mechanisms contribute to the efforts of States in relation to this issue.

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


 

SRI Oral Statements

  • SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the right to development, commenting on their thematic study on the individual and collective dimensions of the right to development. Watch the interactive dialogue, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation, commenting on the Special Rapporteur’s report on the water and economy nexus as well as on the report to his visit to Canada. Watch the interactive dialogue, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, commenting on the Special Rapporteur’s report on the impact of unilateral sanctions and overcompliance on human rights. Watch the interactive dialogue, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the rights of older persons, commenting on her report on legal capacity and informed consent. Watch the interactive dialogue, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.

 

Joint oral statements

  • Joint statement with Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) and Lady Mermaid Empowerment Centre during the General Debate under Item 3. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with 367 organisations during the General Debate on Item 8, to mark the International Safe Abortion Day. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, ILGA World, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) to the General Debate on Item 8. Watch the statement on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) during the panel discussion on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities. Watch the debate, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) during the panel discussion on the implementation of States’ obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members. Watch the debate, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with a group of students from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies during 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 debate, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • Joint statement with Action Canada, the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform to the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, commenting on the Special Rapporteur’s report on his visit to Canada. Watch the interactive dialogue, as well as our statement, on UN Web TV.
  • UPR outcome of Cambodia: joint statement with Women’s Network for Unity. Watch the adoption.
  • UPR outcome of North Macedonia: joint statement with Journalists for Human Rights. Watch the adoption.


 

UPR Outcomes

The 57th session included the adoption of the outcomes of countries reviewed during the 46th working group session of the Universal Periodic Review, which took place from 29 April to 10 May 2024. The Council adopted all 14 outcomes from the reviews of the following countries: New Zealand, Afghanistan, Chile, Cyprus, Viet Nam, Yemen, Vanuatu, North Macedonia, Comoros, Slovakia, Eritrea, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Cambodia.

Among the 14 outcomes adopted during this session, SRI collaborated on reports with organisations and activists for the UPR reviews of Cambodia, North Macedonia, Chile and Uruguay.

We made a joint statement with the Women's Network for Unity to the adoption of Cambodia’s UPR outcome. Watch the adoption here.  At the UPR outcome of North Macedonia, we made a joint statement with Journalists for Human Rights. Watch the adoption.

 

SRI Side Event 

 

Feminist approaches to the right to development

The declaration on the right to development highlights, “that development is a comprehensive economic, social, cultural and political process, which aims at the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population and of all individuals on the basis of their active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair distribution of benefits resulting therefrom.” Yet, the right to development is a fraught ideology and process in the international human rights system, especially due to its dismissal by Global North countries refusing to address economic inequality between and among countries as a human rights concern. 

Development is never a purely economic idea as it is often presented in multilateral fora. Instead, it is the foundation upon which all human rights rest. A holistic and people-centred understanding of development takes into account both systemic and individual discrimination.  The Special Rapporteur on the right to development has called it, “a pathway to holistic development (economic, social, cultural and political) through a participatory process, it is a route to realise all other human rights and fundamental freedoms and preserve intergenerational equity.”

As we witness discussions during HRC 57, in a multilateral system which is gridlocked and apparently unmovable, it is necessary to understand the ideological underpinnings of key concepts as elaborated by social movements, and not by narrow political machinations. Development and human rights, while often positioned as counter to each other in the Human Rights Council, are vehicles to achieving economic, social and environmental justice for people.  “Feminist propositions for economic justice have centred principles such as participation; intersectionality; sustainable, self-determined development from the local to the global; an economy centred around human rights, substantive equality, justice and the well-being of the planet; just (re-)distribution of wealth and resources for all, without monopolisation; feminist and cross-movement solidarity; a shift away from the disproportionate emphasis on a “productive economy” into a feminist decolonial green new economy; an equitable and just global trade order; debt justice; and a democratic global economic governance architecture.“ 

The side event featured a discussion on the definitions and understandings of the term development and examined its uses from a feminist and global south perspective.

 

Speakers: 

  • Ayuush Bat-Erdene, Chief, Right to Development Section, OHCHR
  • Karla Velasco, Association of Progressive Communication 
  • Mimi Aum Neko, ACCEPTESS-T 
  • Moderated by Pooja Badarinath,  Sexual Rights Initiative