What is the Human Rights Council?

The Human Rights Council, an intergovernmental mechanism made up of 47 UN member states, was created by the General Assembly in 2006 to strengthen the promotion and
protection of human rights across the globe and address human rights violations and make recommendations. The HRC can discuss either thematic or country-specific issues. The human
rights council has three regular sessions every year and special sessions for urgent situations.

47 UN Member States are elected by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Human Rights Council for a three-year term. All 193 UN Member States can participate in the proceedings of
the Human Rights Council; however, only the 47 Members are entitled to vote on actions to be taken.


The Human Rights Council is mandated to:
● Engage governments, civil society, and experts to debate, discuss, and adopt resolutions on thematic and country-specific human rights concerns.
● Appoint Special Procedures to analyze and report on human rights related to particular themes and in specific countries.
● Assess the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States through the Universal Periodic Review.
● Examine human rights violation complaints.

The Human Rights Council meets three times a year for regular sessions in March, June, and September at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
To learn more about the Human Rights Council, please visit its website or watch this video produced by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Recent posts:

HRC 58: IYAFP- RDC and SRI Statement to the adoption of the UPR of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Statement
We call on the international community to support the DRC's efforts to build institutional capacity, raise community awareness and ensure access to affordable and quality reproductive health services. These measures will help to reduce maternal mortality, promote gender equality and respect women's rights.
Abortion
Right to health
Maternal mortality and morbidity
Gender equality
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

HRC 58: Gender Alliance for Development Center and SRI Statement on the UPR Adoption of Albania

Statement
Despite policy advancements in Albania, significant gaps remain in the protection and support of workers, particularly women in rural areas. Labour rights violations persist, especially for women who face systemic barriers to employment and economic security. Whilst the government adopted the National Strategy for Employment and Skills (2023–2030), rural women remain disproportionately excluded from the workforce​. Limited access to childcare, a lack of vocational training, and deep-rooted gender norms restrict their participation, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and economic dependence.
Economic justice
Gender-based discrimination
Gender equality
Domestic violence

HRC 58: #EmptyChairs campaign Statement to the General Debate on Item 5

Statement
The liquidity crisis has led to cuts in Special Procedures’ activities and limited engagement opportunities for rights holders. States cannot continue defunding the Special Procedures system, which they have created, thereby preventing them from fulfilling their essential mandates. States must pay their dues in full and on time. We ask the Coordination Committee and the Secretariat to regularly update and consult with civil society on the impact of the liquidity crisis and other challenges and developments affecting Special Procedures and OHCHR, and to make that information public and easily accessible.
Civil society participation

HRC 58: SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on foreign debt

Statement
We welcome the Independent Expert’s report. As it remarks, Global South countries are most affected by a climate crisis they did not cause and by an inequitable global financial system. They are struggling with increasing debt levels, forced to borrow more money, often just to repay existing debts, with IMF- and World Bank-imposed austerity measures, including cuts to public spending and privatization of essential services affecting disproportionately women, children, elderly, racialized and marginalized communities.
Economic justice

HRC 58: Rising Flame Joint Statement: ID with the SR on the rights of persons with disabilities

Statement
We commend and appreciate the efforts of the Special Rapporteur in highlighting the rights of women and girls with disabilities by aligning the Beijing+30 review with commitments made in UNCRPD and SDG. We also thank her for spotlighting the leadership of women with disabilities in the regional B+30 processes.
Disability
Abortion
Civil society participation
Mental health
Economic justice

HRC 58 Joint Statement: Interactive dialogue with the SR on the rights of persons with disabilities

Statement
More action is needed to address the intersectional challenges of women with disabilities living in rural areas, including young and indigenous women and other structurally excluded communities. Investment in developing the leadership of such women is key. We call for urgent implementation measures to combat violence based on gender and disability, including femicides. Even when legal frameworks exist, implementation, access to justice and to crisis centers are extremely limited for women with disabilities.
Disability
Gender-based violence
Rights of indigenous peoples
Right to development

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 58 Side-event: Addressing Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: An Intersectional and Systems-Based Approach

Event
Why is a human rights-based approach necessary to prevent and eliminate maternal mortality and morbidity? How do we deal with structural and systemic discrimination in policy and programming? Join this discussion that will highlight why strengthening health systems, removing barriers to accessing health care and ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights is necessary to improve women and girls’ health.
Maternal mortality and morbidity

HRC 58: Joint Statement to the Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming

Statement
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action have long been heralded as a pivotal moment in the recognition of women’s rights. While feminists fought fearlessly for a declaration many also noted its shortcomings. Those concerns remain relevant today.
Gender equality
Civil society participation
Racial discrimination
Economic justice

Here’s What to Expect at HRC 58

News
The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from 24 February to 4 April 2025. Once again, the session will not be hybrid because of the absence of a mandate from the General Assembly to retain remote participation. This will not affect pre-recorded statements at all debates, panels and discussions as well as the webcasting on UN Web TV of the public meetings scheduled in the Programme of Work.

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

News
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.

HRC 57: AWID, BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights,SRI, ILGA World, FORUM-ASIA Statement to General Debate on Item 8

Statement
This council must act now to prevent itself from collapsing under the weight of its own compromise and complicity. We call on all states to end colonial domination and oppression, discrimination and persecution - we ask the states, if you can't hold genocidal regimes to account, how can we expect anyone else to adhere to accountability mechanisms.
Colonialism
War & Armed conflicts
Rights of indigenous peoples

HRC 57: Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion : General Debate Item 8

Statement
We need a new sustainable development model that prioritises equal and equitable access to all resources for all, and which values people over profits. On the occasion of International Safe Abortion Day, we call for an intersectional feminist model to development that centres the voices of women, girls and gender-diverse persons in determining indicators to measure global development.
Abortion
Economic justice
Right to development
Bodily autonomy
Right to health

HRC 57: Women’s Network for Unity & SRI Statement to the adoption of Cambodia's UPR

Statement
We regret that there were no recommendations explicitly made on the rights of sex workers. Whilst current legislation does not criminalize sex work, the 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation prohibits activities associated with sex work, leading many to believe that sex work itself is illegal.
Sex work

HRC 57: SRI & Students from the Geneva Graduate Institute statement to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the HRC

Statement
This Panel is unique in its design as a self-assessing mechanism for the Council to evaluate its progress in integrating a gender perspective in all its mechanisms. However, we found that it has lost its internal focus and moved away from its mandated goal.
Gender equality
Civil society participation

HRC 57: Journalists for Human Rights & SRI Statement to North Macedonia's UPR adoption

Statement

We urge the government to prioritise the development of a national plan for the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education in school curricula as a mandatory subject. Access to comprehensive sexuality education will empower them to make informed decisions about their bodies, sexual and reproductive health, sexuality, and relationships. Comprehensive sexuality education is crucial for promoting gender equality, reducing violence, and enhancing the well-being of students across North Macedonia.

Comprehensive sexuality education
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

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

HRC 57: NSWP & SRI Statement on General debate item 3

Statement
Sex workers are habitually denied opportunities to participate in international human rights platforms, such as the HRC. Many of us are refused visas and lack funding to travel and participate in UN processes. Human rights are universal. You cannot promote the human rights of some people while excluding others.
Sex work
Decriminalization
Civil society participation

HRC 57 SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the right to development

Statement
The study is crucial in a context of willful denial by many Global North states of the right to development, its collective dimensions, and its aim of ending economic colonialism and dependency - the same states that directly benefit from our unequal international economic order.
Right to development
Economic justice

HRC 57: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation

Statement
Instead of continuing on this destructive path, he challenges us all to rethink the ways in which water is valued, managed and utilized in order to strengthen communities, to repair our poisoned ecosystems and to better understand the connections between water, territory and our bodies.
Economic justice
Right to development

HRC 57: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the rights of older persons

Statement
Older persons, including LGBT ones, as well as persons with disabilities are often treated as if they did not have a sexual life. LGBT older persons are discriminated against in residencies and by their families. Their autonomy is frequently violated, including in deciding where and with whom to live and even preventing them from having a sexual life.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Bodily autonomy

HRC 57: Action Canada, The Canadian Alliance Sex Work Law Reform & SRI Statement to the ID with SR on slavery

Statement
We appreciate the Special Rapporteur’s efforts to hear directly from sex workers in Canada who are experts in their own lives and have solutions to the harms caused by the criminalization of sex work. This is a fundamental principle of human rights - those who are most impacted have a right to participate in the decisions that affect them. We urge Canada and other Special Procedure mandates to heed this principle.
Sex work
Decriminalization

HRC 57: SRI, IPPF and AWID Statement to the panel discussion on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities.

Statement
Without addressing oppressive systems, particularly the global financial architecture and its impact, human rights are a distant dream. Given the urgent need to reform the global financial architecture, how can the HRC and other actors ensure that efforts to promote economic, social, and cultural rights do not remain superficial? If the underlying financial systems driving global inequalities are not addressed, it will all remain window-dressing.
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality

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

News
The 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 18 June to 12 July 2024. The ongoing liquidity crisis experienced by the United Nations, which deeply affects the Council’s functioning, has once again put civil society organisations under an additional and significant burden - especially when it comes to accessing hybrid modalities and organising side events. Below, you will find information on some of the key sexual rights-related: Resolutions Panel discussions Oral statements UPR Outcomes Side Events

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 56: SRI Statement to Nigeria's UPR adoption

Statement
We regret the noting of recommendations pertaining to providing access to information and education on sexual and reproductive health. Nigeria is failing to meet its obligations to provide such information, with private institutions left to bridge the gap in access to evidence-based, accurate information. Everyone has the right to learn about one’s body, sexuality, and sexual and reproductive health. We call on Nigeria to ensure access to comprehensive sexuality education for all, as part of its obligation to ensure that everyone enjoys the right to a quality education.
Gender-based discrimination
Comprehensive sexuality education
HIV and AIDS
Sexual orientation and gender identity

HRC 56: IDPC, GAATW, WHRIN, HRI, IWRAW and SRI Joint Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the SR on extreme poverty

Statement

We echo the report’s call on States to repeal all laws and policies that penalise individuals for structural inequality, and to move away from punitive and carceral approaches.

There is overwhelming evidence showing that the criminalisation of drug use and of sex work is deeply discriminatory, disproportionately affecting people on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity and class. It also increases exposure to physical and sexual violence. It is also used as a driver of other harmful policies, for instance by restricting access to safe housing and shelter, as well as to safe places of work and labour rights for sex workers.

Sex work
Poverty and economic inequality
Decriminalization

HRC 56: SRI and AWID statement to the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Panel 2: Human rights economy and women’s rights

Statement
Human rights economy seeks to prioritize investment in economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development. However, the transformative potential of a human rights economy will remain hollow without addressing the global financial architecture as a colonial structure that exerts control over countries in the Global South through debt burdens, austerity measures, structural adjustment programs and loan conditionalities through international financial institutions.
Economic justice
Colonialism

HRC 56: SRI, AWID & NSWP statement to the interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

Statement
We urge States to heed the Working Group’s recommendations related to the realization of individual and collective rights to substantive equality, including guaranteeing the right to decent work, comprehensive social protection, and repealing laws criminalizing poverty. International and regional economic, financial and monetary institutions and their member States must move away from the growth-centered and neoliberal paradigm that are root causes of inequalities.
Poverty and economic inequality
Gender equality
Gender-based discrimination
Racial discrimination
Sex work

HRC 56: SRI statement to the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Economic violence against women and girls

Statement
Economic violence against women and girls, as with many other forms of gender-based violence, is rooted in patriarchal, racist, classist systems of oppression. In the last decades, structural conditions created by global capitalism and neoliberal policies, combined with those first mentioned, have added new dimensions, causes and consequences.
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
Gender equality
Gender-based violence

HRC 56: SRI statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health

Statement
We support the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations to States to move away from criminal approaches to drug use and control frameworks and rather adopt an evidence-based, human rights approach. Moreover, access to medicines is a human right that must not be impeded by policies that favour corporate interests over people’s health and rights.
Right to health
Decriminalization
Sex work

HRC 56: Women Deliver statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls

Statement
Evidence collected over 25 years by Amnesty International in Norway and Ireland, Médecins du Monde in France has consistently demonstrated that criminalisation as recommended by the SR VAW, has been responsible for increasing the economic vulnerability, worsening the quality of life of sex workers everywhere this system is implemented.
Sex work
Economic justice
Decriminalization

HRC 56: NSWP statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls

Statement
As a mother, I am offended by the report’s assertion that sex workers are bad mothers and our children are a result of violence who will end up getting stolen, trafficked, raped and killed. I have chosen sex work to be my profession, but this is not my whole reality. Before I am a sex worker, I am many things. My rights should not be denied because of my job.
Sex work

HRC 56: LALAYAT Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls

Statement
The first form of violence is that people refuse to hear our voices and impose moral judgments against us. Our voices as sex workers must be heard. To protect ourselves from violence, we need labor law, the recognition of sex work as work, and respect for our choices as sex workers.
Sex work
Gender-based violence
Sexual violence

Did you miss it? Here’s what happened at HRC 55!

News
The 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 26 February to 5 April 2024. Due to the ongoing liquidity crisis experienced by the Council, civil society organisations were asked to pay for the use of hybrid modalities for their side events through the WebEX platform for the first time in the Council's history. This puts an additional and significant burden on organisations that have very limited budgets to engage with the HRC, which is deeply concerning.

HRC 55: Centre Women and Modern World and SRI Statement to Azerbaijan UPR adoption

Statement
We regret that Azerbaijan noted all the recommendations pertaining to the signing and ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Violence against women is widespread in Azerbaijan and domestic violence is normalised, as violence against women is framed as a "family matter".
Gender-based discrimination
Gender-based violence
Domestic violence
Child, early, and forced marriage

HRC 55: Canadian Civil Society Joint statement to Canada's UPR adoption

Statement
The implementation of these recommendations is especially urgent given the shortcomings of the Government’s engagement with civil society in this fourth UPR and its overall lack of accountability on international human rights compliance. These shortcomings include a lack of federal leadership, limited information accessibility, unequal opportunities for civil society participation, and no clear process for monitoring and follow up of recommendations.
Civil society participation

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

HRC 55: #EmptyChairs campaign statement to the Item 5: Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms

Statement
We urge States, especially Global North States, to implement Special Procedures’ recommendations and call for a permanent ceasefire, and immediately stop their support for Israel’s genocide. This Council must concern itself with human rights violations and do away with double standards.
War & Armed conflicts
Civil society participation

HRC 55: SRI Statement to the Annual meeting on the rights of the child

Statement
We cannot continue talking about the universality of human rights and social protection while selectively restricting access to protection for specific groups of children. In order for social protection for children to be universal and comply with children’s rights, we must hold States accountable for their obligations not only within their borders but also globally.
Rights of the child
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality

HRC 55: SRI, CREA & TCIG Statement to the Annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities

Statement
In many instances, social protection benefits are not accessed by persons with disabilities due to family’s own perception of their legal incapacity. We need to understand what are the additional support elements which need to be available for accessing services ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Disability
Economic justice

HRC 55: SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Foreign Debt

Statement
As noted in the report, military spending by Global North states reflects their priorities and disregard for basic human rights - and we remind states in the Global North that their military aid and arms exports currently contribute to the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, in violation of the current ICJ provisional measures order.
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
Gender-based discrimination
Racial discrimination
Colonialism

HRC 55: Joint statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities

Statement
While we appreciate the focus on gendered aspects of care economies, we reiterate that the rights of persons with disabilities to be re-centered in this area, in line with the UN CRPD article 23 as persons with disabilities, in all diversity, are parents, caregivers, and rights holders.
Disability
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Gender equality
Gender-based violence

HRC 55: SRI Statement to the panel discussion on challenges and good practices to realize the right to social security and to provide quality public services

Statement
President, this panel comes at a critical juncture for the premier multilateral body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. UNDP has documented that “twenty-five developing economies, the highest number since 2000, spent over 20 percent of their government revenues in 2022 on total external debt servicing.”
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
War & Armed conflicts
Colonialism

HRC 55: Joint Statement on International Women’s Day

Statement
Our response to these coordinated attacks must be focused on building solidarity across movements and issues, and on strengthening transnational ties that enable us to amplify and elevate each other’s priorities and demands. This is why today we echo the global feminist call for the March 8th strike and stand in solidarity with Palestinian feminists and women in Gaza who are facing human rights violations of an unprecedented scale yet who are still building solidarity and paving the way for collective liberation.
Gender equality
Women human rights defenders
War & Armed conflicts

2023 In Review

News
Last year, our work continued to highlight how sexual rights are profoundly impacted by the interrelated global crises brought on by capitalism through rampant neoliberalism, unchecked extractivism and climate degradation, violent populism and nationalism, soaring inequality within and between states, and entrenched patriarchal, racist, classist and ableist systems of oppression. Read below for our highlights of 2023.
Sexual rights

HRC 54 SRI & partners statement to the adoption of Botswana's UPR 43 outcome

Statement

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.

Sexual orientation and gender identity
Abortion
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

HRC 54 Action Canada Statement to the ID with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People

Statement
We urge Canada to honour its treaty obligations, fully implement the calls to action set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the calls to justice in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s National Inquiry, and to guarantee in law and practice the rights set forth in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Rights of indigenous peoples
Colonialism
Racial discrimination

HRC 54 SRI Statement to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective

Statement
This year’s theme on gender parity must go beyond merely counting the number of women in various positions. We must consider whether the necessary structural changes have been implemented to enable women from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to play a meaningful role in shaping the work of the Council.
Gender equality

HRC 54 FEDERA Statement to Item 3 General Debate

Statement

The criminalisation of abortion is taking an increasing toll in my country. Women die because of lack of access to life saving abortion care, the entire hospitals rely illegally on the consciousness clause. The recent police intervention in the case of a woman who took an abortion pill and another who miscarried show how the restrictive legal and policy environment is facilitating the abuse of powers by authorities, and legitimising the refusals of care by medical providers.

Abortion
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Right to health

HRC 54 SRI Statement on the ID on OHCHR report on panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism

Statement
Until all neocolonial and occupying states and forces are withdrawn, until transnational corporations and foreign military bases and operations are expelled, until extractivist industries are stopped, until debt is cancelled and the international economic order reframed to put people before profit, people living under occupation and those who bear the brunt of neocolonialism as well as their allies will continue to fight to be free.
Colonialism
Economic justice
Right to development
Racial discrimination

HRC 54 SRI & IWRAW Asia Pacific Joint Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with the SR on the Right to Development

Statement
When we talk about debt, let us also talk about the unpaid reparations, current and historical illicit financial flows, and the global tax abuses that benefit Global North countries, corporations, and economic elites across the world.
Right to development
Colonialism
Economic justice
Gender equality

HRC 54 SRI Statement to the ID on the OHCHR report on economic, social and cultural rights, and COVID-19 recovery

Statement
The current economic, geopolitical and global health context is a reflection of colonial power dynamics and structures shaping racist inequalities in resources, health access and outcomes within and among countries. COVID-19 highlighted the impacts of decades of systematic underfunding of health systems partly fuelled by austerity, privatisation and structural adjustment programs, underpinned by neoliberal ideologies and approaches.
Economic justice
Colonialism
Covid-19
Right to health

Here’s What to Expect at HRC 54

News
The 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from 11 September to 13 October 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have meant that HRC 54 will be held in a hybrid format with online and in-person modalities for informal negotiations, voting and statements. Due to the ongoing renovations started in 2020 and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, side events taking place in the Palais will be limited to one per organisation and one hour in duration. Below you can find information about: Anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels and reports UPR outcomes SRI’s online events taking place during the 54th session

SRI Side-event at HRC 54: Preventing Maternal Mortality: Autonomy, Abortion and Access: The Role of the Human Rights System

Event
Join us for this side-event that will examine the connections between macroeconomics and sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as responses by different human rights actors.
Maternal mortality and morbidity
Abortion
Economic justice

Autonomy vs Protectionism looking back on our HRC 53 Side-event

In 2004, in an article titled “Sexuality, Violence Against Women, and Human Rights: Women Make Demands and Ladies Get Protection”, the legal scholar Ali Miller outlined a paradox. Despite the recognition of women’s human rights and increasing attention paid to violence against women in countless spaces, including through the media, the violence was not understood, prevented or adequately responded to. Miller points to two interconnected phenomena to explain this paradox. Firstly, the rise and practice of respectability politics. Due to this, more ‘explosive’ aspects of sexuality such as desire or autonomy are set aside in favour of issues that present less challenge to the systems of patriarchy, racism and class. And secondly, protectionism.
Analysis
Bodily autonomy
Protectionism

HRC 53 SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Racism

Statement

The relationship between health, race, caste, class and gender is rooted in colonial, patriarchal and capitalist control over women’s sexuality, reproduction and bodies and produces distinct experiences of oppression that are often fatal. Racialised women are specifically targeted by harmful stereotypes, the essentialisation of women to their reproductive capacities, forced sterilisation, forced pregnancies and chromosomal testing in sporting events through state interventions or purposeful inaction. This has profound impacts on their health and human rights.

Racial discrimination
Right to health
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

HRC 53 JOICFP and partners Joint Statement to Japan's UPR

Statement
JOICFP delivers this statement on behalf of 9 partner organizations on the issues related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR in short). We deeply regret that Japan did not accept the recommendations it received on decriminalization of abortion, removal of spousal consent requirement for abortion, revision of law that forces sterilization to trans-persons under the legal gender recognition process, and implementation of comprehensive sexuality education.
Abortion
Forced sterilization
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Comprehensive sexuality education
Contraception

HRC 53 Hi Voices, the Pact and SRI Statment to Pakistan's UPR

Statement
We regret that Pakistan did not receive any recommendations on its HIV/AIDS response, as Pakistan has one of the highest rates of new HIV infection in South Asia. Only 12% of people living with HIV can access treatment, and the public healthcare delivery system faces uneven distribution of health professionals among provinces and towns, a deficient workforce, insufficient funding and limited access to quality healthcare services.
HIV and AIDS
Decriminalization
Contraception

HRC 53 Forum for Dignity Initiatives, Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights and SRI Statement to Pakistan's UPR

Statement

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.

Sexual orientation and gender identity
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

HRC 53 SRI, Santé Sexuelle & partners' Statement to Switzerland UPR

Statement
We regret Switzerland’s inconsistent approach to recommendations received on addressing racism and racial discrimination. We remain concerned by structural racism in Switzerland, and its varied manifestations as illustrated through barriers to accessing affordable health services or housing, through restrictive immigration rules and related border harassment, or through a lack of accountability for racial profiling, police harassment, brutality, and murder- as recently exemplified through the acquittal of the police officers who murdered Mike Ben Peter.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Comprehensive sexuality education
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Contraception
Racial discrimination

HRC 53 Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia (AAAZ) and SRI Statement to Zambia's UPR

Statement
Although progress has been made in Zambia’s HIV/AIDS response including a general drop in new infections, there has been an increase in new infections amongst youth and adolescents. Zambia needs to increase the roll out of youth-friendly health services, clarify the policy position on the age of consent to health services, and it needs to ensure that young people and adolescents have access to HIV testing, treatment and care.
HIV and AIDS
Adolescents and youth
Comprehensive sexuality education
Abortion
Right to education

HRC 53 the PACT, Red Juvenil de Asociación de Mujeres Gente Nueva and SRI Statement to Guatemala's UPR

Statement
We regret that Guatemala has noted all the recommendations pertaining to the closing of civil society space, creating an enabling environment for civil society organisations to operate, protecting the rights of human rights defenders, and pertaining to meeting its obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil sexual and reproductive rights, the rights of women and the rights of LGBT+ persons.
Civil society participation
Adolescents and youth
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly and association

HRC 53 Youth Action Movement-Ghana (YAM-Gh) and SRI Statement to Ghana's Outcome of the UPR

Statement
We regret that Ghana has taken such an inconsistent approach to the sexual and reproductive health and rights-related recommendations it received during its UPR review, and regret that the addendum to the report does not provide adequate explanations for the chosen approach.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Abortion
Contraception
Sexual orientation and gender identity
HIV and AIDS

HRC 53 SRI Statement to the Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: Social Protection

Statement
Privatisation and financialization of social protection transfer responsibility and risk, to the individual instead of the state. This has two important consequences: first, it absolves the state from its obligations, and second, structural oppressions, which create and entrench inequalities, continue to operate without any challenge.
Economic justice
Poverty and economic inequality
Bodily autonomy
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

HRC 53 SRI, AWID and FEDERA Statement to the Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women: GBV in public and political life

Statement
From the criminalization of abortion in Poland, to the anti-LGBTIQ+ laws being passed in Uganda, racist anti-migrant laws and policies across Europe and North America, and the push for punitive frameworks against sex work; these attacks aim to construct an exclusionary society that reinforces social hierarchies of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, caste, and class. Make no mistake, this is structural and intentional violence.
Bodily autonomy
Gender-based violence
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Gender-based discrimination

Akãhatã & SRI Statement to the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Transnational Corporations

Statement
The social and economic development that transnational corporations were supposed to bring is just a distant promise for Global South countries, as extractivism, degradation of natural resources, privatisation of public resources and violations of human rights are a palpable reality.
Civil society participation
Economic justice
Rights of indigenous peoples
Poverty and economic inequality

HRC 53 SRI statement: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health

Statement
Technology and digital innovation have advanced health coverage, particularly sexual and reproductive health, providing spaces for youth, adolescents, and other marginalized communities to access these services without stigma. However, it is essential to underline that we are facing a context where regressive actors are using these same digital platforms to assault women human rights defenders, attacking their privacy and propagate misinformation and disinformation, particularly related to abortion, the rights of trans persons, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive sexuality education.
Right to health
Adolescents and youth
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Women human rights defenders
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

HRC 53 Joint Statement: Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

Statement
Feminists have long understood that poverty is the result of violent impoverishment and (neo)colonial economic exploitation. We know that economic justice is essential for the realization of gender justice - just as it is for racial, disability or climate justice. However, members of this Council continue to treat these issues in siloes, or even as competing human rights concerns.
Economic justice
Colonialism
Bodily autonomy

HRC 53 SRI Side Event: Autonomy v/s Protectionism: Register Now

Event
Protectionism views women, girls, and other marginalised individuals as inherently vulnerable and in need of state and patriarchal protection. However, these policies sacrifice autonomy and freedom and do not address systemic inequality and root causes of discrimination and violence. Join us at this side event that delves into the underpinnings and impact of protectionist policies and proposes alternative frameworks including prioritising bodily autonomy.
Bodily autonomy

HRC 52 Statement to the Adoption of the UPR for South Africa

Statement
We welcome the numerous recommendations made to South Africa on adolescent and youth SRHR, access to modern contraceptives, termination of pregnancy services and on accelerating a funded, coordinated, and measurable response to gender-based violence and femicide. We regret the lack of recommendations pertaining to comprehensive sexuality education and remain concerned about its delivery in schools.
Comprehensive sexuality education
Abortion
Contraception
Gender-based violence

HRC 52 Statement to the Adoption of the UPR of the Netherlands

Statement
We welcome the Netherlands’ support of the recommendation on bringing the legal definition of rape in line with international human rights law, including the Istanbul Convention. We also regret that the Netherlands noted the recommendation to fully implement guidelines for a more gender responsive and intersectional approach to gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
Sexual violence
Gender-based violence
Comprehensive sexuality education

HRC 52 SRI, Human Touch Foundation and the PACT Statement to India UPR Outcomes

Statement
We regret that India did not receive any HIV/AIDS-related recommendations, despite India having the third highest prevalence of HIV in the world. India needs an efficient HIV prevention programme which includes PrEP rollout, improved access to routine HIV screening and testing, and most crucially, treatment and excellent patient care.
HIV and AIDS
Adolescents and youth
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Comprehensive sexuality education

HRC 52 Sa Perempuan Papua & SRI Statement to Indonesia UPR Outcomes

Statement
Indonesia must adopt evidence-based policies to ensure that adolescents and young people have adequate access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Adolescents and young people, particularly in the eastern part of Indonesia, still lack the information they need to help them to exercise their agency, and to make more informed decisions for their bodies and lives.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Adolescents and youth
Comprehensive sexuality education

HRC 52: FEDERA Statement to Item 4 General Debate: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Statement
Decriminalisation of abortion in Poland is imperative. The recent case of criminal conviction of an activist who helped in abortion and persistent denials of legal abortion services demonstrate that only full liberalisation and decriminalisation of abortion would make a change in the Polish context.
Abortion

HRC 52 SRI Statement to the Interactive Dialogue on Access to COVID-19 Vaccines

Statement
Big pharma and vaccine hoarding governments are responsible for 1.3 million avoidable deaths in the first year of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. That is 1 death every 24 seconds. As a test of international cooperation and human rights, this is nothing short of abject failure.
Covid-19
Right to health
Economic justice

Statement by SRI and Akãhatã to the Interactive Dialogue with the IE on the effects of foreign debt

Statement
We note that the Expert pointed out the seriousness of the fact that in 40 years of democracy, the Argentine State, which tried those responsible for the last civil-military dictatorship, has not implemented any mechanism to find the truth in relation to the foreign debt taken by the dictatorship itself. For at least 30 years there has been a social demand to audit foreign debt and cancel the debt contracted by the dictatorship, because it is not legitimate.
Economic justice

HRC 52 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment

Statement
We welcome the report presented by the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
Women human rights defenders

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

Statement to the Organisational session for the 17th cycle of the HRC

Statement

As observers of the Human Rights Council, we have repeated and continue to repeat our concerns with these so-called efficiency measures. The so-called efficiency measures privilege convenience over the Council's effectiveness, which should concern all of us. The lack of general debates during the June sessions has severely impacted civil society participation. It is particularly true for feminist groups and groups that work on issues of gender and sexuality.

Civil society participation

HRC 58: SRI Statement to the Panel discussion on the realization of human rights in sustaining and increasing the gains made in the HIV response and leaving no one behind

Statement
We should not need the numbers to know that we are pushing millions of people into a health crisis. In the 80s and 90s, millions of people died from AIDS-related illnesses that were treatable and from HIV transmission that was preventable. Callous and calculating states, along with unregulated pharma companies, made it clear that those most affected were disposable – while those who could pay were a source of profit.
HIV and AIDS
Right to health
Economic justice

HRC 51 Statement to Panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism on the enjoyment of human rights

Statement

Statement by the Sexual Rights Initiative, Al-Haq, IWRAW Asia-Pacific, ILGA and AWID on the Panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism on the enjoyment of human rights at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council.

Racial discrimination
Colonialism

HRC 51 #EmptyChairs Campaign Statement to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective to the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms

Statement

Statement by the #EmptyChairs Campaign to the Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective to the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Civil society participation
Freedom of expression

Pedido de adesão: declaração conjunta da sociedade civil no CDH 51 sobre aborto

Call to action

Em apoio ao próximo Dia Internacional do Aborto Seguro em 28 de setembro, a Sexual Rights Initiative, Center for Reproductive Rights, Association for Women’s Rights in Development, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, International Service for Human Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, MSI Reproductive Choices e a Swedish Association for Sexuality Education formularam uma declaração conjunta sobre o direito ao aborto a ser lida na 51ª sessão do Conselho de Direitos Humanos da ONU em Genebra.

Abortion

طلب للتّوقيع على بيان مشترك لمجلس حقوق الإنسان ٥١ والمجتمع المدني بخصوص الإجهاض

Call to action

في سياق دعمنا لليوم العالمي للإجهاض المأمون في ٢٨ أيلول/سبتمبر، أعدّت «مبادرة الحقوق الجنسيّة» و«ائتلاف العدالة الجنسيّة والإنجابيّة» و«مركز الحقوق الإنجابيّة»، و«الرّابطة لحقوق المرأة في التّنمية»، و«CHOICE للشّباب والجنسانيّة» «اتّحاد التّخطيط الأسري» و«Ipas» و«الخدمة الدولة لحقوق الإنسان» و«مركز المرأة لمنطقة آسيا والمحيط الهادئ للموارد والأبحاث» و«MSI للخيارات الإنجابية» و«الرّابطة السّويديّة للتّثقيف الجنساني» بيانًا مشتركًا بشأن حقوق الإجهاض لتقدّمه عند انعقاد الجلسة الـ٥١ لمجلس الأمم المتّحدة لحقوق الإنسان في جينيف.

Abortion

Sign-on: HRC51 joint civil society statement on abortion

Call to action

In support of the upcoming International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September, the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, the International Service for Human Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, MSI Reproductive Choices and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

Abortion

HRC50: SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism

Statement

SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Racial discrimination
Right to health
Poverty and economic inequality

HRC50 - Statement on Uganda's UPR by LBQ Loose Network CREA, the CAL and SRI

Statement

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.

Sexual orientation and gender identity

HRC50 - Girls Awake, Peer to Peer Uganda, the PACT, and SRI Statement to the outcome of the UPR for Uganda

Statement

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.

HIV and AIDS
Abortion
Comprehensive sexuality education
Sexual orientation and gender identity

HCR50 - SRI Statement to the Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2:Human rights-based and gender-responsive care and support systems

Statement

SRI statement to Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women - Panel 2:Human rights-based and gender-responsive care and support systems at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council

Poverty and economic inequality
Right to health

HRC50 - SRI, Her Rights Initiative, the Women’s Legal Centre Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

Statement

SRI, Her Rights Initiative, the Women’s Legal Centre Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

Right to health
Forced sterilization

HRC50 - SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Statement

SRI Statement to the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Civil society participation
Freedom of assembly and association

HRC50 - Action Canada & SRI Statement on the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls

Statement

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.

Adolescents and youth
Gender-based discrimination
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Sexual and reproductive health and rights

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

HRC50 - SRI Statement on the commemorative event on the occasion of the 50th session of the HRC

Statement

SRI Statement on the commemorative event on the occasion of the 50th session of the HRC.
The Human Rights Council will marked its 50th session through a high-level interactive discussion that provided stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made and the lessons learned since its 1st session. The following is SRI's statement to this interactive discussion.

Right to health
Civil society participation

HRC 48: Statement for the Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on international order

At some point there was hope that the Council would be a place where states would answer for their actions and where people could seek remedy for human rights violations - but that hope has faded over time. During this pandemic, the UN’s international cooperation mandate has given way to States’ and corporate interests. Barriers to entering multilateral spaces including denial of visas, ECOSOC status requirements, unsustainable cost of travel, lack of translation, lack of access for people with disabilities, technology access and safety issues, and so-called efficiency measures that restrict civil society participation, all take away the nuance and expertise that civil society brings in pursuit of social justice and equality. All of this is symbolized by the empty chairs throughout the UN.
Statement
Civil society participation

Criminal Laws and Women’s Right to Health

News

The Sexual Rights Initiative and partners co-sponsored a side event at the 20th session of the Human Rights Council focusing on criminal laws and women’s right to health. The objective of the event was to provide a forum for States and stakeholders in Geneva to discuss the key findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health’s 2011 report to the General Assembly on the criminalization of sexual and reproductive health including abortion.

Abortion
Contraception
Sexual and reproductive health and rights
Bodily autonomy