A fundamental principle of human rights is the equal right to participate in political and public affairs. This is guaranteed by Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as other several human rights instruments, and is a key component of a human rights based approach which seeks to eliminate marginalization and discrimination in the development of laws and policies.
This statement has been jointly prepared by 190 sex worker rights, women’s rights, and human rights organizations.
The 33rd session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from the 12th to the 30th of September 2016. Here is an overview of resolutions, panel, oral statements and side events related to sexual rights that took place during the session.
The HRC33 Recap provides information on some of the key sexual rights related:
- Resolutions
- Panels and Discussions
- Oral Statements
- Side Events
all of which the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) was engaged with during the session.
Statement Co-Produced by the Sexual Rights Initiative & Centre for Reproductive Rights
Human Rights Council adopts resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights in the face of attacks on women’s sexual and reproductive rights
Today, the Council adopted by consensus its biannual resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. The resolution represents an advancement to women’s human rights on several counts.
The resolution:
Thank you Mr. President, Action Canada makes this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative.
Thank you Mr. President, Action Canada makes this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative.
We commend the Special Procedures and the Office of the High Commissioner for their courageous work to advance gender equality through their reports, country visits and public statements. Their rigorous investigation of human rights standards as applied to gender equality has shed light on the pervasive and shocking multitude of rights violations women and girls experience throughout their lives in all parts of the world.
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
Thank you Mr. President
I make this statement on behalf of the Sexual Rights Initiative.
We welcome the panel’s focus on structural forms of violence against indigenous women as a much needed and highly neglected topic for consideration by this Council.
In preparation for the upcoming revision at the Polish parliament of two bills concerning access to legal and safe abortion, a number of youth-led and other organisations focused on Sexual and Reproductive Rights have prepared the attached statement to draw attention on the stand of Polish government complying with its human rights obligations towards the women of Poland.
This statement will be presented to Members of the Polish Parliament on September 22nd 2016, when two relevant bills will be presented, and government will decide on this regard.