During the 45th session of the Human Rights Council, we saw the first ever joint Government statement on the rights of intersex persons, as well as continued efforts by civil society to condemn discrimination and violence committed against LGBTI persons which has been further exacerbated by the impacts of COVID.
For the first time, 34 States from all regions of the world made a joint statement, led by Austria, calling on the Human Rights Council to urgently protect intersex persons in their bodily autonomy and right to health. This statement was supported by 33 intersex-led organisations. ‘We welcome the call on all Governments to investigate human rights violations and abuses against intersex people, to reverse discriminatory laws, to hold those responsible to account and provide access to remedies for victims. It is essential that civil society working for the promotion of intersex persons’ rights are involved in those developments,’ said ISHR’s Tess McEvoy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the social and political exclusion of LGBTI people and is exposing and deepening existing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Moreover, human rights defenders, as frontline responders to the pandemic, have been subject to exacerbated restrictions. ISHR joined a civil society statement at the Council calling for the adoption of national policies to combat violence, discrimination, and stigmatization based on SOGIESC. In making this call, civil society highlighted that LGBTI persons and organizations defending their rights should be central to the creation, implementation and monitoring of responses to the current and future crises.
This statement built on a written call to action signed by 96 organisations urging States and stakeholders to do more to ensure this public health emergency will not lead to increased violence against persons with diverse SOGIESC.
In addition, ISHR joined a civil society statement expressing concern about discrimination regarding sexual and reproductive rights of youth and adolescents at the annual discussion on gender mainstreaming. The statement highlighted that treaty bodies and special procedures have called on States to respect, protect, and fulfill the sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents. However, Youth and adolescents are excluded from recommendations and discussions. The statement called on the Human Rights Council to reaffirm the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all adolescents and young people through its resolutions, dialogues, debates and the Universal Periodic Review.
‘We welcome these developments at this Council session, and emphasize that LGBTI rights defenders and organisations must be central to any advances.’
Contact: Tess McEvoy, Programme Manager and Legal Counsel, [email protected].
Photo credit: PxHere
Local authorities in Geneva have announced their intention to place a permanent public monument paying tribute to persecuted human rights defenders, including the late Chinese human rights defender Cao Shunli. The move follows a civil society petition to have a bust made in honour of Cao placed in a prominent location in the city.
On Tuesday 16 April 2024, ISHR delivered to both Geneva’s Administrative Council and its legislative counterpart, the Municipal Council, physical copies of the more than 1000 signatures collected in support of a memorial honouring Chinese human rights defender Cao Shunli.
13 April 2024 marked one year since the Chinese authorities arbitrarily detained prominent human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, woman defender Xu Yan. As their health steadily deteriorates, 30 rights groups and the European Union have renewed their call for their prompt release.
