The 48th session of the Universal Periodic will take place from 20 to 31 January 2025. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Italy, the Gambia, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Iran, El Salvador, Bolivia, San Marino, Angola, Madagascar, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Egypt. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Angola and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We regret that Botswana received and noted several recommendations on decriminalising abortion, on repealing Section 167 of the Penal Code, and on ensuring access to legal gender recognition. Botswana must eliminate discrimination against women and ensure their access to legal, safe, and affordable sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion, which Botswana still criminalises, and gender-affirming care.
We welcome the recommendations made to Pakistan on protecting women’s rights, the rights of transgender people, and sexual and reproductive rights.
We are concerned by the recent regressive ruling by the Federal Shariat court, which struck down key sections of the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2018.
For UPR 45 (deadline 18 July) - we are interested in supporting English-language submissions by feminist activists in the review of the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Mauritius, Jordan, Central African Republic, Monaco, Chad, Congo, and Malta.
We appreciate Brazil's acceptance of almost all of the recommendations received during its review, and its noting of two recommendations related to a concept of traditional family that does not conform to Brazilian legislation and jurisprudence and which opposes Human Rights.
In response to the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem’s harmful position against legal gender recognition through self-identification, the Sexual Rights Initiative has decided to stop engaging with this mandate-holder, and encourages other feminist organizations and activists to do the same.
The 42nd session of the Universal Periodic review begins on the 23rd of January 2023. The working group session will take place from 23 January to 3 February 2023. 13 Countries will be under review during the session: Czechia, Gabon, Benin, Switzerland, Argentina, Ghana, Guatemala, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka and Zambia. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI collaborated on reports for Guatemala, Japan, Pakistan, Switzerland and Zambia.
This submission reflects on the progress that Azerbaijan has made since its last review to meet its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. Azerbaijan received and supported recommendations during the last cycle of the UPR on gender equality, violence and discrimination against women, as well as women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues. These include bodily autonomy, reproductive health and family planning, sexual orientation and gender identity, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and child marriage. These sets of rights are cornerstones of democratic societies.
The Romanian Constitution guarantees equal treatment of all citizens before the law and public authorities, without any privilege or discrimination. This includes explicit reference to sexual orientation as a protected ground, and legal protection against hate crimes. Despite this, Romania is not respecting, protecting and fulfilling a broad range of rights related to sexuality and gender, particularly as pertains to sexual and reproductive health and rights. This failure is marked by an inability to provide adequate access to contraceptives, the lack of accessibility and availability of abortion services despite abortion being legal in the country, and the failure to invest in HIV/AIDS programming to prevent new cases in the country.
The 42nd session of the Universal Periodic review begins on the 23rd of January 2023. The working group session will take place from 23 January to 3 February 2023. 13 Countries will be under review during the session: Czechia, Gabon, Benin, Switzerland, Argentina, Ghana, Guatemala, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka and Zambia. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI collaborated on reports for Guatemala, Japan, Pakistan, Switzerland and Zambia.
The 43rd session of the Universal Periodic review begins on 1 May 2023. The working group session will take place from 1 to 12 May 2023. 14 Countries will be under review during the session: France,Tonga, Romania, Mali, Botswana, the Bahamas, Burundi, Luxembourg, Barbados, Montenegro, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Liechtenstein and Serbia. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI collaborated on reports for Romania and Botswana.
This report is submitted by SEXUAL HEALTH Switzerland and the Sexual Rights Initiative. It examines the human rights situation in Switzerland, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
This joint stakeholder report assesses Pakistan’s progress since its third cycle review in meeting its obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the sexual and reproductive health and rights obligations it has towards young people, particularly women and transgender persons. The submission focuses on access to safe abortion, the sexual rights of LGBT people, and access to sexual and reproductive health information, education and services.
2. This report is jointly submitted by nine (9) national, regional, and international civil organizations striving to promote SRHR. It highlights ongoing issues concerning SRHR in Japan with a focus on six (6) topics: access to contraceptives including emergency contraception, access to safe abortion, redress for victims of forced sterilization, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE), law reform of the crimes of sexual violence including rape, and universal access to comprehensive sexuality education.
Statement by the Uganda LBQ Loose Network, a collective working towards increasing the voice and visibility of lesbian, bisexual and queer women in advocacy, feminist leadership, and women’s rights in Uganda, CREA, the Coalition of African Lesbians and the Sexual Rights Initiative to the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Uganda at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council.
Statement by Girls Awake, Peer to Peer Uganda, the PACT, and the Sexual Rights Initiative at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review for Uganda.
Statement by Action Canada, Action Canada's National Youth Advisory Board and the Sexual Rights Initiative to the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.
Joint SRI and national partner submissions on Uganda, Venezuela, and Sudan for the 40th Universal Periodic Review.
Transitional justice mechanisms must respond to historic causes of violence and conflict by addressing structural oppressions that affect people based on their race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, amongst others. Redress comes only when acknowledging how intersectional oppression continues to operate through associated stereotypes, stigma and discrimination, including those related to race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Intersectionality is crucial to ensure a truth and reconciliation process.
The SRI collaborated on submissions for Eswatini, Hungary, Samoa, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea for the 39th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session.
Colectivo Ovejas Negras; Akahatá – Equipo de trabajo en sexualidades y géneros; Synergia – Initiatives for Human Rigths; and the SRI – Sexual Rights Initiative, present the following alternative report to the Committee Against Torture. This report is aimed at contributing to the reviewing of the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by the State of Uruguay.
Submissions for the 37th UPR for Georgia, Nepal, Rwanda and Saint Lucia
UPR Submissions 36th Session
UPR Submissions 35th Session
HRC40 - Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes – México
HRC40 -Item 6: UPR Nigeria
Statement on Nigeria’s Adoption of the 31st UPR Recommendations
Thank you Mr President, the Federation for Women and Family Planning makes this statement on behalf of the Equality Triangle Initiative.
Nigeria received over 60 recommendations relating to sexual and reproductive rights and health, including on violence and discrimination against women and girls, early and forced marriages, harmful cultural practices, HIV and AIDS, SRHR services and general health services - the majority of these recommendations were accepted by Nigeria and we commend Nigeria for doing so.
Conseil des droits de l'homme - 40ème session
Rapport de l'EPU du Sénégal
Déclaration conjointe de SRI, Right Here Right Now Sénégal et Rutgers
14 mars 2019
40th Session of the Human Rights Council
Clustered Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights
Action Canada for Population and Development & Association for Women’s Rights in Development
1st of March
40th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 8
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
18 March 2019
HRC40 - Item 3: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Human Rights Council – 28th session – March 2015
Item 6: Consideration of the Universal Periodic Review Reports – EL SALVADOR
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Country: Argentina
Collaborators: SRI, Akahata
Key Words: Maternal Mortality; Abortion; Contraception; Gender-Based Violence; Sexuality Education
Country: Guatemala
Collaborators: SRI, Colectiva Mujeres en Resistencia
Key Words: Gender-Based Violence; Violence Against Lesbian Women
Country: Pakistan
Country: Belize
Collaborators: SRI, United Belize Advocacy Movement
Key Words: Sexual orientation and gender identity; Human rights; Right to education; Discrimination; Sexual and reproductive rights; HIV/AIDS; Stigma.
Country: China
Collaborators: SRI
Key Words: Sexual orientation and gender identity; Right to freedom of expression; Right to education; Right to health.
Country: Malaysia
Country: Afghanistan
Collaborators: SRI, Afghan Family Guidance Association & International Planned Parenthood Federation (South Asia Regional Office)
Key Words: HIV/AIDS; People who inject drugs; Discrimination; Stigma; Health Systems Strengthening; Access to Services; Education; Availability of Services; Accessibility of Services.
Country: Cambodia
UPR Submissions - 19th session
Country: Bolivia
Collaborators: SRI, Ipas
Key Words: Sexual and reproductive rights, maternal mortality, criminalization of abortion
Country: Bolivia
Collaborators: SRI, Colectivo LGBT de Bolivia
Key Words: Sexual orientation, gender equality, discrimination, violence, sexuality education, public policy, Bolivian legislation, hate crimes
Country: Bosnia Herzegovina
UPR Submissions - 22th session
Country: Brazil
Collaborators: SRI, Ipas
Key Words: Legal abortions, contraception, sexuality education and information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, zika
Country: Ecuador
Collaborators: SRI, Taller Comunicación Mujer
UPR Submissions - 30th session
Country: Chile
Collaborators: SRI, Organizando Trans Diversidades
Key Words: Identidad de género; orientación sexual; personas trans; reasignación registral; discriminación; violencia; acceso a la salud; educación y trabajo. C
Country: Macedonia
Collaborators: SRI, Margini Coalition, Reactor, Health Education and Research Association
UPR Submissions - 33th session
Country: The Gambia
Collaborators: SRI, Women In Liberation and Leadership, African Men for Sexual Health and Rights
Violence and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression
Country: Kazakhstan
Collaborators: SRI, The Legal Center for Women’s Initiatives “Sana Sezim”
Domestic violence, sexual and reproductive rights, comprehensive sexuality education, access to SRH services
Country: Grenada
Collaborators: SRI, GrenCHAP, Gorundation Grenada
Key Words: LGBT People, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, discrimination based on SOGIE
Country: Guyana
Collaborators: SRI, Society Against
Key Words: Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) LGBT People, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, discrimination based on SOGIE
The present report is submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to its resolution 27/32, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to update the report of the Office of the High Commission on violence and discrimination against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (A/HRC/19/41).
HRC29 - Item 6: Universal Periodic Review – Grenada
Human Rights Council – 29th session – June 2015
Item 6: Consideration of the UPR Outcome of Kenya
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 29th session – June 2015
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review – Guyana – Adoption of UPR outcome on Guyana – June 2015
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 30th session
Consejo de Derechos Humanos – Sesión 30 Septiembre 2015
Item 6: Consideración del resultado de EPU de Panamá.
Declaración de Action Canada for Populaton and Develpoment
Country: Belgium
Collaborators: SRI, Sensoa
Key Words: Abortion, comprehensive sexuality education, HIV, STI, undocumented migrants, sexual violence, sexual abuse, age of consent, sexual and reproductive health and rights
Country: Singapore
Collaborators: SRI, Kaleidoscope Australia Human Rights Foundation, Safe Singapore, Sayoni, the Bear Project, Young Out
Human Rights Council – 32nd session
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: Singapore
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Consejo de Derechos Humanos – Sesión 32
Human Rights Council – 32nd session – June 2016
Item 8:
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Annual Full Day of Discussion on the Human Rights of Women
Human Rights Council – 32nd session
16 June 2016
UPR Submissions - 23th session
Country: Mexico
Collaborators: SRI,Musas de Metal Grupo de Mujeres Gay A.C.
Key Words: Derechos sexuales y reproductivos; salud y diversidad sexual; LGBTTTI; mujeres; lesbianas; bisexuales; trans; discriminación; matrimonio de personas del mismo sexo; familias homoparentales y lesbomaternales; reproducción asistida; maternidad subrogada; terapias de conversión; violencia; feminicidios.
Country: Nigeria
Collaborators: SRI, Queer Alliance Nigeria
Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Country: Ireland
Collaborators: SRI, Abortion Rights Campaign Ireland, Sex Workers Alliance Ireland
Key Words: human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, abortion, comprehensive sexuality education, sex work, bodily autonomy, Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act
Country: Sudan
Collaborators: SRI, Anonymous Contributor
Country: Lithuania
Colaborators: SRI, Family Planning, Sexual Health Association of Lithuania
Key words: access to contraception; access to abortion; comprehensive sexuality education; youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services; sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Country: Lithuania
Colaborators: SRI, National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL Sexual, ILGA-Europe
HRC34 Item 3: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Human Rights Council – 34th session
Human Rights Council – 35th session
Item 3: IE on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Thank you, Mr. President. Action Canada makes this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative.
Sexuality and gender continue to be sites of oppression, discrimination, violence and subject to harsh religious, legal, political, economic and social control. They have become the sites of geopolitical contestation and are often leveraged to win elections, obscure or justify human rights abuses in other areas and cynically used to subvert the universality of human rights.
ANNUAL DISCUSSION ON INTEGRATION OF A GENDER PERSPECTIVE
27th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
15th September 2014
Item 3
27th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
15th September 2014
Human Rights Council – Agenda Item 6 – Universal Periodic Review – Portugal
Item 6 - Universal Periodic Review – Dominica – Adoption of UPR outcome on Dominica – September, 2013
Costa Rica Statement 27th regular session
Human Rights Council – 25th session – March 2014
Consideration of Senegal’s UPR Outcome – Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 25th session – March 2014
Item 6: Consideration of Mexico’s UPR Outcome - Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 25th session – March 2014
Human Rights Council – 25th session – March 2014
Item 6: Consideration of Belize’s UPR Outcome - Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
HRC25: Agenda item #8: statement - Follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Theme: 20-year anniversary of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development
UPR Submissions - 13th session
Country: Ireland
Collaborators: SRI, Irish Family Planning Association
Key Words: Abortion; Criminalization; Right to Health; Discrimination
Country: Lithuania
Collaborators: SRI, Family Planning and Sexual Health Association
Key Words: Sexuality Education; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Young People
Country: Venezuela
UPR Submissions - 10th session
UPR Submissions - 9th session
UPR Submissions - 8th session
Country: Bolivia
Collaborators: SRI, Clayvert Alcon Saavedra
Key Words: Sexual Orientation; Gender Identity; Sex Work; Discrimination; Access to Health Services; Violence
Country: Bosnia and Herzegovenia
Collaborators: SRI, Organization Q
Key Words: Sexual Orientation; Gender Identity; Sexuality Education; Discrimination; Freedom of Expression; Violence
Country: Fiji
Country: Cambodia
Collaborators: SRI, People Health Development Association
Key Words: Sexual and Reproductive Rights of Young People; Sex Work; Sexual Violence; Sexual Transmitted Infections; HIV; Human Rights of Women; Discrimination Against Women; Gender-Based Violence
Country: Costa Rica
Collaborators: SRI, Mulabi-Costa Rica
UPR Submissions - 5th session
UPR Submissions - 4th session
UPR Submissions - 3rd session
UPR Submissions - 2nd session
UPR Submissions - 1st session
Human Rights Council – 31st session
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: Saint Lucia
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 31st session
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: Lebanon
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 33rd session
Human Rights Council – 33rd session
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: Papua New Guinea
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 33rd session
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: Samoa
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Human Rights Council – 33rd session
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: THAILAND
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
HRC34 - Item : Universal Periodic Review Outcomes: Zimbabwe
HRC34 - Togo’s Universal Periodic Review
Human Rights Council – 34th session -
Agenda Item 6 – Universal Periodic Review Timor Leste
Statement by Action Canada for Population and Development
Fernando D'Elio, from SRI partner Akahatá, explains how Akahatá uses the international human rights system and the HRC to advocate for human rights related to gender and sexuality.
"Intersectionality and Impunity: Locating Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Human Rights Discourse"
19 March 2014, UN Human Rights Council, Geneva
Side event by JSA Consulting, ICARH, ILGA, ISHR, Malaysia SOGI Coalition and the Sexual Rights Initiative,
"Intersectionality and Impunity: Locating Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Human Rights Discourse"
19 March 2014, UN Human Rights Council, Geneva
Side event by JSA Consulting, ICARH, ILGA, ISHR, Malaysia SOGI Coalition and the Sexual Rights Initiative.
We, the members of civil society and individuals present at the International Conference on Human Rights and ICPD Beyond 2014 (The Hague, 7-10 July, 2013), representing diverse constituencies from around the globe, welcome the constructive spirit and promising tone of the International Conference. In that same spirit we repeat our call upon governments and agencies to commit to the full realization of the sexual and reproductive rights of all people.
Written by Fernando D’Elio of Akahata (with input from Neha Sood of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights) as part of the 2015 ILGA Report on State-Sponsored Homophobia.
The State-Sponsored Homophobia report originated from the need to present a concise overview of the legal situation of lesbian and gay people around the world. ILGA needed a comprehensive survey of laws that criminalise consenting adult same-sex sexual acts for its advocacy work and to present aspects of the work carried out by its members.
Presently, a number of UN Member States and NGOs are advocating for the Human Rights Council to create a new Special Rapporteur on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). From the perspective of the SRI, the proposed mechanism would be limited in its ability to protect the fundamental rights of people most in need and risks neglecting a range of sexuality and gender related abuses that demand the UN’s attention.
The 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from February 25th to March 22rd, 2019.
Here are statements the Sexual Rights Initiative has made during the 39th session of the Human Rights Council.
September 10, 2018
Item 3: Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and the Independent Expert on democratic and equitable international order.
Thank You Mr President,
The 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from June 18 to July 6, 2018.
Find below information about anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels, reports, UPR outcomes, and parallel events taking place during the 38th session.
Click here to access the full programme of work for HRC38
Expected Resolutions Relevant to Sexual Rights
The 28th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 6-17 November 2017.
The 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 11th to the 29th of September 2017. Find below information about anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels and reports, UPR outcomes, and parallel events taking place during the 36th session.
The 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from the 6th to the 24th of June 2017. The SRI made oral statements related to sexual orientation and gender identity, poverty, women’s rights, peaceful assembly, family, and physical and mental health. Continue reading for complete transcripts of each statement.
Find out which human rights recommendations were accepted, noted or deferred by Haiti, Iceland, Lithuania, Moldova (Republic of), South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), and Zimbabwe during the latest UN Universal Periodic Review.
The 26th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 31 October-11 November 2016.
SRI Oral Statements made during the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council during the Consideration of the Outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Thailand. The UPR outcome for each State reviewed during UPR25 is adopted during this session of the HRC. The outcome report indicates which recommendations the State agrees to implement, and its responses to other recommendations.
SRI Statement on Ireland, UPR Report Consideration – 00:38:13
The 32nd session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from the 13th of June to the 1st of July 2016. Here is a recap of sexual rights related resolutions, panels and statements.
Join the Sexual Rights Initiative and our partner, the Coalition for African Lesbians for a Twitter chat this Thursday June 9th on Autonomy and Intersectionality: Why a special mechanism on sexual orientation and gender identity will set back movements on sexuality and gender at the Human Rights Council.
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) is a coalition of organizations from Canada, Poland, India, Egypt, Argentina and South Africa that have been advocating together for the advancement of human rights related to gender, sexuality and reproduction at the UN Human Rights Council since 2006. We are committed to and strongly in support of rights related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Many of us are directly affected as people who are non-conforming in terms of our gender identity and expression and our sexual orientation.
The 25th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 2-13 May 2016. Below are some sexual rights related highlights from each UPR25 review.
The 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from the 29th of February to the 24th of March 2016. Here is a recap of sexual rights related resolutions, panels, statements and events at the session.
During the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the SRI collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of five countries:
The 24th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 18-29 January 2016. Here is a recap of sexual rights at UPR24.
Fourteen countries were reviewed during UPR24 including: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Palau, Paraguay, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands and Somalia.
UPR23: Joint stakeholder submissions in collaboration with national organizations
During the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the SRI collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Malawi, Maldives, Panama, and the USA.
The SRI also delivered statements pertaining to:
The 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 15th of June to the 3rd of July 2015.
The 22nd session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 4 – 21 May 2015.
Fourteen countries were reviewed during UPR22 including: Andorra, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Honduras, Jamaica, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Panama, and the United States of America.
Written by Fernando D’Elio of Akahata (with input from Neha Sood of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights) as part of the 2015 ILGA Report on State-Sponsored Homophobia.
The 22nd session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will take place at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 4 – 21 May 2015.
Alongside the Iranian Queer Organization (IRQO), the Sexual Rights Initiative submitted a joint stakeholders report for the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Iran.
The 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 2nd to the 27th of March 2015.
The 21st session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 19 – 30 January 2015.
Fourteen countries were reviewed during UPR21 including: Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Guinea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Spain, Lesotho, Kenya, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Sweden, Grenada, Turkey, Guyana, and Kuwait.
The 21st session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will take place at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from 19 – 30 January 2015.
Fourteen countries will be reviewed during the session, including: Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Guinea, Lao Peopl’s Democratic Republic, Spain, Lesotho, Kenya, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Sweden, Grenada, Turkey, Guyana, Kuwait
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national NGOs and activists in four countries up for review to prepare five stakeholder submissions:
The 20th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will take place at the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, from October 27 – November 7 2014. Fourteen countries will be reviewed during the session, including: Italy, El Salvador, Gambia, Bolivia, Fiji, San Marino, Kazakhstan, Angola, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Madagascar, Iraq, Slovenia, Egypt, and Bosnia Herzegovina.
During the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Dominica, Nicaragua, Norway and Portugal.
The 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from 8-26 September 2014. Here you will find information regarding some sexual rights-related resolutions, discussions, UPR outcomes and parallel events taking place during the session.
Click here to access the full programme of work for the 27th session
Expected Sexual Rights-related Resolutions
In preparation for the 21st session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the SRI, with support from coalition-member Akahata, collaborated with the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) (a Guyanese human rights organization dedicated to achieving equality and justice for all, particularly those who experience discrimination based on their sexuality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression), to prepare a stakeholder submission for Guyana’s review.
The 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 10 – 27 June 2014. Below are some highlights of sexual rights-related to Resolutions, discussions, UPR outcomes and parallel events that the SRI engaged with during this session.
Statement by the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC):
The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) condemns the regressive and inhuman revision of the penal code of Brunei Darussalam that introduces stoning to death as a specific method of execution for same sexual activities. The ASC is somewhat comforted by the postponement of the implementation of the new code. However, the ASC maintains its position on the introduction of the law, albeit the delay.
A side event entitled “Intersectionality and Impunity: locating Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in the Human Rights Discourse” took place on Wednesday 19 March 2014. The event was co-sponsored by, alphabetically, Coalition of SOGI Malaysia, ICARH, ILGA, ISHR, JSA Consulting Group and the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI). Panelists included human rights defenders from India, Malaysia, Nigeria and Switzerland as well as a representative of OHCHR; including the SRI’s Sunita Kujur (representing CREA).
During the 47th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD), individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and their allies, came together to voice concerns regarding ongoing violations of the human rights of individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
The 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from March 3 – 28 2014. The first week of the four-week session comprised of a ‘High-level segment’ during which high-level dignitaries addressed the Council. Below is a round-up of sexual rights-related news from the 25th session of the Council.
Highlights
SRI and WILPF respond to the ‘protection of the family’ initiative
HRC25: SRI Oral statements
UPR18: sexual rights-related outcomes
Building on the Hague Civil Society Call to Action on Human Rights and ICPD Beyond 2014, the SRI’s written statement for the upcoming 47th session of the Commission on Population and Development calls on governments to:
Ensure the implementation of all human rights obligations related to the Programme of Action of the ICPD;
Promote equality by tackling the root causes of structural inequalities;
(Click ‘start prezi’ to scroll through highlights from 2013. Can be viewed in ‘full screen’ mode by clicking on the icon in the bottom right corner of the prezi.)
The SRI wishes you all the very best for a restful holiday season!
Click here to view the prezi in a web browser.
Human rights activists across the country are deeply disappointed with today’s decision of the Supreme Court in Suresh Kumar Kaushal v. Naz Foundation to overturn the historic Delhi High Court judgement of 2009, which decriminalised homosexuality in India. CREA believes that today’s decision to set aside that historic and progressive judgement is an unconscionable blow to people’s fundamental rights to equality and freedom from discrimination, violence, and harassment. This is a huge setback not just for the LGBT movement in this country and elsewhere, but also for human rights everywhere.
During the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national-level organizations and advocates to deliver oral statements regarding outcomes from the Universal Periodic Review ‘s (UPR) of Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, Russia and Uzbekistan.
On June 6th 2013, the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), in collaboration with the World YWCA, and Permanent Missions to the UN in Geneva of Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Uruguay organized a parallel event on ‘the role of the Human Rights Council in advancing sexual and reproductive rights and health in the post-2015 development agenda’.
The ICPD Beyond 2014 International Conference on Human Rights took place in The Netherlands from 7-10 July 2013. The Conference is the second thematic conference, following the ICPD Beyond 2014 Global Youth Forum (which took place in Indonesia, in December 2012), to take place within the scope of the ongoing review of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA).
SRI collaborates with national organizations and activists in preparation for UPR19
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) collaborated with national NGOs in several of the countries under review to prepare stakeholder submissions and advocate for strong recommendations on sexual and reproductive rights.
The Special Rapporteur highlights that the killings can be direct with defined perpetrators in the home, community or by the State and, critically, gender-motivated killings can also be indirect where the perpetrator is not so easily defined such as in the case of deaths from clandestine abortions, maternal mortality, deaths from harmful traditional practices and deaths from neglect through starvation or ill-treatment. Restrictive abortion laws and criminalization of abortion that lead women to seek illegal abortions coupled with poor access to reproductive health services have been recognized as causes of preventable maternal mortality. In addition, harmful practices that seek to control women’s and girls’ sexuality through violence and stigma are reinforced by the State’s failure to protect women’s and girls’ rights from a holistic perspective which takes into account the political, economic and social context in which this violence occurs.
We also share the consideration of a problem of killings of women based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This constitutes multiple discrimination and is fueled by homophobic statements and positions by states and non-state actors, including their analysis on tradition, culture and religion.