HRC 58: SRI, YWCA Hamilton and Barbra Schlifer Clinic statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on housing

Statement
Housing is more than shelter. It is a fundamental determinant of health, safety, and well-being. Migrants, particularly those with irregular status, face systemic barriers to securing safe housing, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, ill health, displacement, gender-based violence, and human rights violations. In Canada, many migrant workers, especially in agricultural and caregiving sectors, and international students endure overcrowded and unsafe conditions with little recourse when facing exploitation, violence, or eviction.
Right to housing
Migration
Racial discrimination
Poverty and economic inequality
Economic justice
Right to health

HRC 57: SRI Statement to the Panel discussion on th​e implementation of States’ obligations on the role of the family in supporting the human rights of its members

Statement

The principle of universality must be applied to challenge which families are considered to be worthy of state protection and therefore which family members are entitled to human rights, according to the state. At this very moment, we are witnessing families being decimated in service of a racist, colonial state and its expansionist aspirations. Are these family members not entitled to human rights?

Economic justice
Migration
Colonialism
Racial discrimination
Gender-based discrimination
Poverty and economic inequality

UPR Submissions - 48th session

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.

Submissions
Gender-based violence
Domestic violence
Maternal mortality and morbidity
Economic justice
Migration
Comprehensive sexuality education
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Gender-based discrimination
Sexual orientation and gender identity

HRC 56: North South Initiative & SRI Statement on Malaysia UPR Adoption

Statement
We welcome the recommendations made to Malaysia on the ratification of the 1951 Refugee Convention (and its protocol) and regret the noting of the same. Malaysia currently fails to adequately recognise refugee status, and UNHCR registration provides only limited protection against arbitrary arrest, detention and refoulement. Malaysia is yet to provide clarity on how it determines the refugee status of detainees, and indeed the UNHCR has been denied access to immigration detention centres for almost five years now. This is concerning given current policies and the prevailing climate of xenophobia towards refugees and migrants.
Migration

HRC 55: Joint statement to Canada's UPR adoption

Statement
The functional denial of sexual and reproductive rights is connected to the denial of other rights, including the rights to health, non-discrimination, education, and freedom from violence. We are disappointed Canada did not fully accept several recommendations in support of broader health equity, particularly on access to services for undocumented people.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Right to health
Migration
War & Armed conflicts

2022 In Review

News

As we embark on another year of activism for sexual rights, we wanted to share with you our highlights of 2022. While the UN human rights system continues to be confronted by multiple challenges –from funding shortages, geopolitical tensions and polarisation and attempts to undermine multilateralism to the presence and influence of regressive and conservative actors, we have made steadfast progress in advancing sexual rights in this system. Read below for our highlights of 2022.

Bodily autonomy
Civil society participation
Abortion
Right to development
Colonialism
Migration
Economic justice
Gender-based discrimination
Gender-based violence
Comprehensive sexuality education
Right to health
Racial discrimination

UPR Submissions - 42nd session

Submission

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.

Gender equality
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
HIV and AIDS
Civil society participation
Contraception
Abortion
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Sexual violence
Gender-based violence
Comprehensive sexuality education
Adolescents and youth
Right to health
Gender-based discrimination
Decriminalization
Bodily autonomy
Migration
Child, early, and forced marriage
Sex work

HRC 60: Joint Statement to Sweden's UPR Adoption

Statement
We are deeply concerned by the Sweden’s approach to sex work, which indirectly criminalizes the bodies of sex workers, conflates sex work with trafficking, and exposes sex workers to violence, stigma, and exclusion from democratic participation. The criminalization of sex work forces sex workers to the margins of society. Red Umbrella Sweden members often live in precarious conditions, at constant risk of eviction, homelessness, and social isolation, and often face barriers to accessing health care.
Sex work
Right to health
Economic justice
Migration

HRC 59: Statement of the Sex Worker Delegation to the Interactive Dialogue with the SR on trafficking in persons

Statement
The rights of migrant workers, whether domestic workers or sex workers, are under threat. Racist policies towards immigrants force us underground and, above all, increase our vulnerability to trafficking. We are exposed to violence and exploitation.
Sex work
Migration

HRC 59: SRI Statement Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on health

Statement

States are failing in their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to health and coverage alone is not enough. Even in countries with universal health care like Canada, over 6.5 million people lack access to a family doctor. As public health systems face mounting pressure from austerity measures, privatization, chronic funding cuts, and impact of foreign debt and economic sanctions, inadequate compensation and heavy administrative burdens are driving burnout and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers. These increasing barriers to access and the erosion of global health infrastructures are deepening inequities, especially for marginalized communities.

Right to health
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
Migration

UPR Submissions 50th session

The 50th session of the Universal Periodic Review will take place from 03 November to 14 November 2025. 14 Countries are under review during the session: Belarus, Liberia, Malawi, Mongolia, Panama, Maldives, Andorra, Bulgaria, Honduras, the United States of America, the Marshall Islands, Croatia, Jamaica and Libya. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Malawi and the United States of America.
Submissions
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Gender equality
Right to education
Right to health
Child, early, and forced marriage
Adolescents and youth
Comprehensive sexuality education
Sex work
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Migration
Bodily autonomy
Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly and association
Right to development
HIV and AIDS

UPR Submissions - 45th Session

The 45th session of the Universal Periodic was held from 22 January to 02 February 2024. 14 Countries were under review during the session: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, China, Nigeria Mauritius, Mexico, Jordan, Malaysia, Central African Republic, Monaco, Belize, Chad, Congo and Malta. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Malaysia and Nigeria.
Submissions
Migration
Right to education
Right to health
Freedom of assembly and association
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
Gender equality
Sexual violence
Gender-based violence
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Abortion
Child, early, and forced marriage
Contraception
HIV and AIDS
Adolescents and youth
Gender-based discrimination
Decriminalization
Sexual orientation and gender identity

UPR 44 Canada Submission - Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW), YWCA Hamilton, The Community Research Platform at McMaster University, and the SRI

This report examines gaps in Canada’s obligation to respect, protect, and fulfil the right to abortion. Abortion is a decriminalized healthcare procedure and is enshrined in numerous human rights instruments and ratified conventions. Despite this, many people in Canada face barriers when seeking abortion services and some are ultimately unable to access care.

Submissions
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Abortion
Poverty and economic inequality
Migration
Racial discrimination
Right to health
Bodily autonomy

UPR Submissions - 44th Session

The 44th session of the Universal Periodic was held from 6 to 17 November 2023. 14 Countries were under review during the session: Turkmenistan, Cabo Verde, Uzbekistan, Germany, Canada, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Tuvalu, Djibouti, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Cuba, the Russian Federation and Cameroon. In collaboration with our partners, the SRI submitted reports for Canada, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan.
Submissions
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Abortion
Poverty and economic inequality
Migration
Racial discrimination
Right to health
Bodily autonomy
Sex work
Adolescents and youth
Comprehensive sexuality education
Child, early, and forced marriage
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Gender equality
Gender-based violence
Gender-based discrimination

UPR Submissions - 42nd session

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.

Submissions
Gender equality
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
HIV and AIDS
Civil society participation
Contraception
Abortion
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Sexual violence
Gender-based violence
Comprehensive sexuality education
Adolescents and youth
Right to health
Gender-based discrimination
Decriminalization
Bodily autonomy
Sex work
Child, early, and forced marriage
Migration

UPR 42 Switzerland Submission - Sexual Health Switzerland and the SRI

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).

Submissions
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Gender-based discrimination
Gender-based violence
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Comprehensive sexuality education
Right to health
Migration

HRC50 - Federa Statement Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

Statement

Statement of Federa to the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Abortion
Adolescents and youth
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
War & Armed conflicts
Migration

UPR adoption of Denmark

Sex work is deeply intertwined with the public and policy debate on immigration in Denmark. Many street-based sex workers in Copenhagen and other big cities are migrants and are subjected to intersectional discrimination, including xenophobic and racist violence. The anti-migrant, xenophobic and racist sentiment is also frequently expressed by political leaders and senior ranking government officials. Government funding continues to be drastically cut from many sex workers’ organizations and organizations supporting migrants. Absurd and inaccurate reasoning is often provided for these funding cuts, such as conflating sex work with “human trafficking and illegal migrant work.”  

Statement
Decriminalization
Sex work
Migration

Submission to the CEDAW Committee on GR Trafficking

This submission argues that the concept of trafficking should be debunked to give way to policies that ensure migrant rights and address migrant labour. In doing this, it deals with the definition of trafficking in the Convention and its consequent impact on women and girls, especially in the context of migration. The CEDAW Committee now has an opportunity to reframe the understanding of state obligations and standards on the issue of trafficking from a gender perspective, so that it is grounded in human rights and upholds bodily autonomy of women and girls.

Submissions
Migration
Bodily autonomy

What to expect at HRC33

News

The 33rd session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 12th the 30th of September 2016. Find below information about anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels and reports, UPR outcomes and parallel events taking place during the 33rd session.
 

Click here to access the full programme of work for HRC33

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Expected Resolutions Relevant to Sexual Rights

Rights of indigenous peoples
Adolescents and youth
Migration
Maternal mortality and morbidity