Human Rights Council Concludes Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Opinion and of Expression, Starts Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights
The High Commissioner for Human Rights this morning called on States and the Human Rights Council to pledge to take concrete and transformative action to tackle gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life. He spoke as the Council held the first part of its annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women, focusing on gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life.
The Council also concluded an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and began an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in an opening statement that while immense strides had been made in women’s public and political participation, major barriers persisted. If they wanted to dismantle the patriarchy, they needed to dismantle these barriers. In public and political life around the world, many women and girl human rights defenders, women journalists and women who ran for or held public office and political decision-making positions were attacked viciously and often suffered gender-based violence. These were abhorrent acts, fed by pervasive structural discrimination and harmful gender stereotypes, deeply woven into social and cultural norms, attitudes and behaviours.
Mr. Türk called upon States and the Council to pledge to take concrete and transformative action to tackle gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life, and to promote their participation and leadership. They needed to become better and more innovative in doing so. The goal must be a world where every girl and every woman was free to rise, thrive and shape the course of history.
Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, in an opening statement, said achieving gender equality was not possible without the empowerment of women. Only when women could fully represent their rights, advocate for their needs, participate fully and equally in decision-making, and have the resources to do so, could they begin to meaningfully tackle gender inequality. Women and girls continued to be threatened, attacked, shamed, and subjected to gender-based violence for simply articulating their needs, including the right to be free from violence based on their gender or sex. Women leaders and representatives continued to be vilified through misogynistic abuse, sexist language and body shaming, while their integrity, intelligence and values were questioned. They needed to stem the tide of violence against women and girls in the private, public, and political spheres of life, and they needed to do so now.
Nicole Ameline, Member of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, panellist, said violence against women was linked to the de facto exclusion from decision-making systems of women, who made up only about 25 per cent of parliamentarians around the world. Only a global momentum could effect change, under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Women’s rights were an answer to many of the great challenges of the times: climate change, artificial intelligence and migration. The international community needed to struggle against all forms of stereotypes, against new forms of discrimination, such as hate speech or threats or harassment on social networks. The empowerment of women and girls through education could be a considerable factor in establishing the implementation of the Convention.
Cristina Solano Díaz, Representative of the National Political Assembly of Indigenous Women of Mexico, panellist, said indigenous women faced major challenges. Structural violence, discrimination and institutional racism harmed indigenous women’s participation in public and political life. It was essential that all States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women implemented the Committee’s general recommendation on indigenous women and girls, which addressed violence and political participation. They needed to ensure the full and effective participation of women, especially indigenous women, in decision-making spaces; design, together with indigenous women, a national programme to strengthen the political participation of indigenous women; promote programmes to protect indigenous women facing gender-based political violence and institutional violence; and implement an electoral observatory for indigenous peoples and communities.
Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo, Member of the Swiss Parliament and President of the European Minority Parliamentarians Caucus, panellist, said women facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination often experienced even greater obstacles to political and public participation. That was the reason for the launch of the European Minority Parliamentarians Caucus, a safe space where the marginalised communities could discuss these forms of violence and map out solutions to them. The Caucus identified five major categories of gender-based violence: intersectional discrimination; stereotypes and prejudices; marginalisation and lack of representation; power dynamics and threats to existing hierarchies; and a lack of support systems. Addressing the barriers faced by women facing multiple forms of discrimination required a proactive intersectional approach that recognised the interplay of different marginalised identities.
Houda Slim, President of the Arab Women Parliamentarians Network for Equality “Ra’edat”, panellist, said that in Tunisia, the number of female members of parliament had declined to 17 per cent due to violence. In Sudan, war and political instability affected the presence of women in political life. The numbers of female representatives were also declining in other Arab States, where women were discouraged from running for office. The Network for Equality had conducted a study of women in Arab States that had found that 80 per cent of respondents had been subjected to violence, which discouraged them from participating in political life. Violence was present on social media and traditional media, and at political events and public gatherings. Education was very important for tackling this situation. Within schools and universities, mindsets could be changed through the promotion of topics such as gender equality and equal participation in political life.
In the ensuing discussion, many speakers said they were firmly committed to the eradication of all forms of violence against women, including the elimination of chauvinist violence. Gender-based political violence was one of the least-tackled forms of sexist violence. An international alliance was needed to ensure women could be fully involved in politics. It was the obligation of States to remove all structural barriers preventing women’s participation in political and public life, including the disproportionate share of unpaid care work, gender stereotypes, negative social norms, and sexual and gender-based violence. All States, but also private actors, should step up and take bold actions to end gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life. Freedom from violence, harassment and intimidation in all forms, both online and offline, must be a priority, and combatted wherever they occurred. Women and girls must be leaders of the economic and social development of their communities. States must ensure the prohibition of both de jure and de facto discrimination in the enjoyment of the full range of human rights, and the prevention of violence.
Speaking in the discussion were Spain, Egypt, Canada on behalf of a group of countries, European Union, Latvia on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Bahamas on behalf of the Caribbean Community, Türkiye on behalf of a group of countries, Belgium on behalf of a group of countries, Australia on behalf of a group of countries, Costa Rica on behalf of a group of countries, Italy, Bolivia, Luxembourg, Costa Rica, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, Ecuador, Burkina Faso, France, Venezuela and Monaco.
Also speaking were the Danish Institute for Human Rights, as well as the following non-governmental organizations: Action Canada for Population and Development on behalf of Association for Women’s Rights in Development and Federation for Women and Family Planning, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, International Lesbian and Gay Association, and Institute for Human Rights.
Next, the Council concluded its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, which started in the previous meeting.
In the discussion on peaceful assembly and association, some speakers, among other things, expressed concern about legislative threats curtailing the right to freedom of assembly and association for civil society. States needed to protect civil society and not criminalise and prosecute those who fought for human rights. Reparation needed to be provided for all violations committed by authorities against persons exercising these rights. All States needed to implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur’s report and end impunity. Speakers expressed concern about the ongoing repression of peaceful protests in certain States and regions. They called for measures to be introduced to address those violations, provide reparation to victims, and facilitate the rights to freedom of peaceful association and assembly.
Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, in concluding remarks, said lengthy sentences against human rights defenders were not justified under article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and he requested all States to release those detained for their efforts towards democracy and the rule of law. States and State officials needed to refrain from using terrorist rhetoric when referring to activists. There was no justification for States or law enforcement to repress, torture, forcibly disappear or kill people for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and association. States must do their best to ensure accountability, the lack of which was another painful violation for victims. There must be clear protocols for law enforcement in cases of peaceful assembly. The lack of a relevant regulatory framework encouraged the abuse of lethal weapons.
As this was the Special Rapporteur’s last regular interactive dialogue during his term as Special Rapporteur, Václav Bálek, President of the Human Rights Council, expressed, on behalf of the Council, deep appreciation for the valuable contributions the Special Rapporteur had made to the work of the Council.
Speaking in the discussion were Redress Trust, Conectas Direitos Humanos, Réseau Européen pour l’Égalité des Langues, International PEN, Freedom Now, Instituto de Desenvolvimento e Direitos Humanos, Baha’i International Community, Article 19 – International Centre against Censorship, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, and Amnesty International.
The Council then started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.
Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said that since his last interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council, the cost-of-living crisis had continued, making recovery from the COVID-19-induced economic crisis very difficult for low-income households. Against such a background, it was imperative that they used all the tools at their disposal to combat poverty and strengthen the resilience against economic shocks, both of households and of countries.
This was why he focused his thematic report to the Human Rights Council on the idea of the job guarantee. In the report, Mr. De Schutter said he encouraged all actors, including governments and human rights mechanisms, to take seriously the right to work as a human right. The right to work could become an enforceable human right, guaranteeing to any adult able and willing to work a right to paid public employment. Governments should be obliged to act as an employer of last resort.
Unemployment significantly increased the risk of poverty.
Mr. De Schutter said he had conducted an official visit to Kyrgyzstan from 23 May to 3 June 2022. Kyrgyzstan spoke as a concerned country.
In the ensuing dialogue, speakers said employment, as a means of providing income, was the backbone of poverty reduction efforts, and a multi-dimensional approach must be applied for this approach to lead to sustainable results. In poverty reduction, the private sector, local communities, international development partners and all relevant stakeholders had a role to play. The labour market was not equal for all: there needed to be better integration of persons in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities, into the labour market and ensure social protection for those who were excluded from it. Innovative solutions were necessary to tackle poverty globally. It was essential to put in place policies to protect rights. Clean and affordable energy was a critical input to achieving the Sustainable Developmental Goals, respect for human rights and the eradication of extreme poverty. Without ensuring access to energy for all, it would be impossible to broaden the education base and improve public health.
Speaking in the dialogue were Viet Nam, European Union, Venezuela, Finland on behalf of a group of countries, Lebanon on behalf of a group of countries, Peru on behalf of a group of countries, India on behalf of a group of countries, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Armenia and Luxembourg.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-third regular session can be found here.
The Council will next meet this afternoon at 3 p.m. when it will continue the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, followed by the second part of the annual discussion on women’s rights, which will focus on social protection: women’s participation and leadership.
Annual Full-day Discussion on the Human Rights of Women, Focusing on Gender-based Violence against Women and Girls in Public and Political Life
Opening Statements
VOLKER TÜRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said for decades, women and girls at the helm of public institutions had spearheaded transformative change. While immense strides had been made in women’s public and political participation, major barriers persisted. If they wanted to dismantle the patriarchy, they needed to dismantle these barriers. In public and political life around the world, many women and girl human rights defenders, women journalists and women who ran for or held public office and political decision-making positions were attacked viciously and often suffered gender-based violence. Such acts were deliberate, directed at those seen as challenging traditional notions of family and gender or harmful traditional social norms. They were very often sexist, sexualised, and misogynistic, silencing and censoring their voices, and exacting profound physical and psychological harm. Their purpose was clear: to exercise control, to perpetuate subordination, and to crush the political activism and aspirations of women and girls. These were abhorrent acts, fed by pervasive structural discrimination and harmful gender stereotypes, deeply woven into social and cultural norms, attitudes and behaviours.
Norms and stereotypes had generated appalling imbalances, where women and girls made up more than two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population, and where they shouldered three quarters of the global domestic and care work burden. Deep structural discrimination required profound systemic change. They must strengthen national legal frameworks to ensure gender equality, and protect women from violence, both online and off. Focus on prevention was key. They must adopt codes of conduct with zero tolerance for gender-based violence and establish effective reporting mechanisms for those who experienced it. Concrete measures, both temporary and permanent, were urgently required. They must also challenge archaic notions that confined domestic and care work to women and girls only. Quality access to the fundamental human right of education was an essential precondition to participate in public affairs.
Seventy-five years ago, world leaders gathered to adopt the visionary and miraculous text that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented. Today, Mr. Türk called upon States and the Council to pledge to take concrete and transformative action to tackle gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life, and to promote their participation and leadership. They needed to become better and more innovative in doing so. The goal must be a world where every girl and every woman was free to rise, thrive and shape the course of history.
REEM ALSALEM, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, welcomed the dedication of the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women to the topic of gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life. Achieving gender equality was central to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, as achieving development and prosperity was not possible if one half of humanity continued to be denied access to its full human rights and opportunities. Achieving gender equality was not possible without the empowerment of women. Only when women could fully represent their rights, advocate for their needs, participate fully and equally in decision-making, and have the resources to do so, could they begin to meaningfully tackle gender inequality.
Women and girls continued to be threatened, attacked, shamed, and subjected to gender-based violence for simply articulating their needs, including the right to be free from violence based on their gender or sex. Women leaders and representatives continued to be vilified through misogynistic abuse, sexist language and body shaming, while their integrity, intelligence and values were questioned. There was a pervasive negative gender bias that continued to permeate all aspects of lives. Nine out of 10 men and women held biases against women.
Some of the reasons for which women came under this attack were not new. The women who were attacked were the ones who uncovered patterns of corruption and human rights violations, protested environmental damage, and demanded an equal say in peace processes and governance structures. Other attacks on women related to reasserting rights that had been hard won, such as the right of women and girls to freedom of movement; to seek and receive education; and to access sexual and reproductive rights. Even the simple commemoration of the International Day for Ending Violence against Women and International Women’s Day was no longer without controversy. Recently, many women were being increasingly attacked and punished for asserting their rights and needs based on their sex and/or sexual orientation as well expressing their views on gender and gender identity.
The true litmus test for how developed, prosperous, and peaceful a society was related to how it treated its women and girls. As indicated in the mandate’s report on violence against women in politics, this kind of violence was not only a human rights violation but also went against the fundamentals of democracy. They needed to stem the tide of violence against women and girls in the private, public, and political spheres of life, and they needed to do so now.
Statements by Panellists
NICOLE AMELINE, Member of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, said great strides and strategic changes were forcing the world to build back differently. Violence was linked to the de facto exclusion from decision-making systems of women, who made up only about 25 per cent of parliamentarians around the world. Ms. Ameline applauded the efforts of States that had made equality a structural requirement, but only a global momentum could effect change, under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Equality should be the cause of the time: a universal norm, the key to a new architecture in Governments. It was also a precondition when it came to implementing all women’s rights, and was essential at a time when the majority of women did not have the capacity to advance their own lives and status nor to make their own decisions thereon. Women’s rights were an answer to many of the great challenges of the times, including climate change, artificial intelligence and migration.
If equality was not addressed from the perspective of parity, it would be ineffective, Ms. Ameline said. Meeting those challenges was to specifically breathe new life to equality. The Committee was proposing a new general recommendation dedicated to the equal representation of women in all representation spheres, including economic and political. This paradigm shift would accelerate as well as consolidate the situation of women, and would promote new practices and measures making equality a permanent feature in rules and laws. The genuine creation of an ambition to reach 50 per cent in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda in order to build a strategic convergence required a struggle against all forms of stereotypes and against new forms of discrimination, such as hate speech or threats or harassment on social networks. There was a need for results, and to create a collective universal approach that could be transformative. This new impetus based on the empowerment of women and girls through education could be a considerable factor in establishing the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
CRISTINA SOLANO DÍAZ, Representative of the National Political Assembly of Indigenous Women of Mexico, said indigenous women faced major challenges. In Mexico, the indigenous population amounted to 23,229,089, of which 51 per cent were women. The 2022 National Survey on Discrimination reported that 28 per cent of the indigenous population considered themselves discriminated against because of their ethnic affiliation. Women victims of intentional homicide went from 620 cases in the first quarter of 2022 to 674 for the same period of 2023. During the first quarter of this year, intentional homicides of women had increased 8.7 per cent compared to last year.
Structural violence, discrimination and institutional racism harmed indigenous women’s participation in public and political life. The National Political Assembly of Indigenous Women was working for the promotion, protection and guarantee of the rights of indigenous women in Mexico. It was essential that all States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women implemented the Committee’s general recommendation on indigenous women and girls, which addressed violence and political participation. Ms. Solano Díaz said that she had faced discrimination from political actors who had sought to steal her identity.
To effectively promote the public and political participation of indigenous women and girls, they needed to ensure the full and effective participation of women in decision-making spaces in all areas of the public and political sphere; provide indigenous women with all physical, economic and material inputs to participate in the political sphere; design, together with indigenous women, a national programme to strengthen the political participation of indigenous women; implement a comprehensive training plan for the prevention, attention and punishment of political violence against indigenous women aimed at authorities of internal regulatory systems and political parties; promote programmes to protect indigenous women facing gender-based political violence and institutional violence; and implement an Electoral Observatory for Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
YVONNE APIYO BRÄNDLE-AMOLO, Member of the Swiss Parliament and President of the European Minority Parliamentarians Caucus, said women facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, such as those based on gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, often experienced even greater obstacles to political and public participation. That was the reason for the launch of the European Minority Parliamentarians Caucus, after realising the need for a safe space where the marginalised communities could discuss these forms of violence and map out solutions to them.
The Caucus identified five major categories of gender-based violence. First, intersectional discrimination: intersectionality recognised that multiple identities and forms of discrimination intersected and compounded one another, creating unique experiences of oppression. Second, stereotypes and prejudices: women of marginalised identities often faced a higher degree of stereotyping and prejudices due to the intersecting forms of discrimination they experienced as a result of different cultural, ethnic or religious codes. These stereotypes perpetuated systemic biases, generating hostility and violence against them when they aspired to political or public positions.
Third, marginalisation and lack of representation: women from marginalised communities were often underrepresented in political and public spaces, leading to a limited understanding of their experiences and concerns, making it easier to target and dismiss them, and further perpetuating the cycle of discrimination and violence. Fourth, power dynamics and threats to existing hierarchies: marginalised women who successfully advocated for the rights of their communities were seen as threats to existing power structures and hierarchies. Fifth, lack of support systems: women with intersecting identities could also face additional hurdles due to the absence or limited availability of support systems tailored to their specific needs.
Addressing the barriers faced by women facing multiple forms of discrimination required a proactive intersectional approach that recognised the interplay of different marginalised identities. They needed to actively dismantle systemic biases, promote inclusive policies, and provide support and resources that empowered women from diverse backgrounds to engage in politics and public life free from violence and discrimination.
HOUDA SLIM, President of the Arab Women Parliamentarians Network for Equality “Ra’edat”, giving examples of violence against women in the political sphere, said that in Tunisia, the number of female members of Parliament had declined to 17 per cent due to violence. In Sudan, war and political instability affected the presence of women in political life. The numbers of female representatives were also declining in other Arab States. Women were discouraged from running for office. The Network for Equality had conducted a study of women in Arab States that had found that 80 per cent of respondents had been subjected to violence, which discouraged them from participating in political life. Violence was present on social media and traditional media, and in political events and public gatherings. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents said that they had reported incidents of violence, but investigations of those incidents had not achieved results. Women’s access to public spaces had also been limited in the region.
Education was very important for tackling this situation. Within schools and universities, mindsets could be changed. Topics such as gender equality and equal participation in political life could be promoted. Media could also be used for this purpose. Legislation was needed to prevent violence against women. Civil society and trade unions needed to be engaged to address and prevent the dangerous phenomenon of violence against women and to march toward justice.
Discussion
In the ensuing discussion, many speakers said they were firmly committed to the eradication of all forms of violence against women, including the elimination of chauvinist violence. Gender-based political violence was one of the least-tackled forms of sexist violence, seeking to eliminate women from the political sphere; it was a grave violation of human rights. Combatting this phenomenon was not a “women’s problem”, it was a problem for the whole of society, as it prevented the development of fully-fledged democracies: it required an international alliance to ensure women could be fully involved in politics.
Some speakers said deeply rooted gender inequalities and systemic barriers perpetuated gender-based violence designed to control, limit and prevent the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in public and political life. And yet, women and girls’ political participation and leadership had a profound and positive impact on all, including those in marginalised and vulnerable situations, from promoting democratic resilience to fostering greater collaboration and economic growth, or creating more sustainable peace. International human rights law guaranteed the right of women and girls – in all their diversity – to participate in political and public life. It was the obligation of States to remove all structural barriers preventing their participation, including the disproportionate share of unpaid care work, gender stereotypes, negative social norms, and sexual and gender-based violence.
A number of speakers noted that cyber and technology-facilitated violence was an urgent global challenge that served as both a barrier and a troubling backlash against women’s leadership and participation in decision-making systems, and it required a global response. As women continued to break glass ceilings and make their mark in politics and public life, they encountered a new wave of targeted attacks designed to undermine their progress, including invasion of privacy, defamation, hate speech and mal-information, which often could spill-over into real-life and physical danger, causing immense psychological and physical harm, as well as spill-over effects into reputation and daily life. It was crucial to foster a digital landscape that promoted respectful dialogue, and upheld the principles of equality and human rights. By embracing inclusive technology and building supportive communities, an environment could be created where women’s leadership flourished and their voices were amplified. This included creating and implementing stronger laws and creating safe and protective environments in which help could be sought.
Some speakers said that by targeting, intimidating and silencing women, gender-based violence had a particularly negative impact on women’s right to freedom of expression. It pushed them to self-censor and withdraw from public spaces online and offline. And it sent the message that women and girls in general had no place in public life. All States, but also private actors, should step up and take bold actions to end gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life. Special attention should be given to multiple, intersecting and accumulated forms of discrimination. Freedom from violence, harassment and intimidation in all forms, both online and offline, must be a priority, and combatted wherever they occurred.
Increased representation was about more than numbers: it was about systems that were transparent, inclusive and impartial. The qualities that women brought to political positions were vital to social and economic development. Women and girls must be leaders of the economic and social development of their communities. The enforcement of international law to ensure accountability and protection for women was fundamental to protect democracy and the rule of law. States must ensure the prohibition of both de jure and de facto discrimination in the enjoyment of the full range of human rights, and the prevention of violence. The tokenistic inclusion of women in political positions was a pretence that did not address structural discrimination.
Among the questions posed to the panel were: could the panel share examples of effective targeted interventions to address systemic barriers to women’s participation; a request for examples of best practice in addressing the challenges to girls’ participation; what were best practices in empowering girls to participate in public and political life and addressing the challenges to girls’ participation, including violence against women and girls; what were some of the most important characteristics of an enabling environment for the participation of women; what could States do to bolster their legal frameworks and reporting mechanisms to combat gender-based violence in the public sphere and put an end to such acts; what special responsibilities did political parties have and how could they effectively combat the root causes that underpinned the systematic exclusion of women and girls in political debates and decision-making; and what measures were needed to scale up gender-based violence prevention in order to fully achieve Sustainable Development Goal five and associated targets eliminating gender-based violence by 2030?
Concluding Remarks
NICOLE AMELINE, Member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, said that the contributions of speakers were fully in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The world needed to accelerate efforts toward parity by 2030. Parity needed to be included in constitutional frameworks. The situation of women in countries in conflict situations needed to be considered. Women were drivers of peace and sustainable development. The Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was open to working with all stakeholders to elaborate a roadmap to empower women to promote peace and sustainable development.
CRISTINA SOLANO DÍAZ, Representative of the National Political Assembly of Indigenous Women of Mexico, said that in the face of systematic violence affecting women, it was important to establish a mechanism for protecting their civil and political rights. States needed to facilitate the access of women to political roles and recognise the right of women to a life free of violence. Mexico had an Ombudsperson that was protecting the rights of vulnerable women. The Ombudsperson was combatting corruption in the electoral process. Identity theft of indigenous women was a serious challenge. A genuine election observatory needed to be set up to support women. Rights needed to be progressive, and the free participation of women in political life needed to be promoted.
YVONNE APIYO BRÄNDLE-AMOLO, Member of the Swiss Parliament and President of the European Minority Parliamentarians Caucus, said the European Minority Parliamentary Caucus urged increased awareness for the marginalised, and gender-responsive policy development which could ensure reserved seats for women and other groups in Parliaments. An independent mechanism could train parliamentarians and the general public in means that could encourage women’s participation. Data collected on violence against women and girls could help identify gaps and evidence-based targeted policies. States should support solidarity networks that included counselling and the legal establishment of avenues for reporting for those in minority groups.
HOUDA SLIM, President of the Arab Women Parliamentarians Network for Equality “Ra’edat”, said the question of violence against women had not been solved for centuries: fairly important measures must be taken to achieve that, and these should not be individual or single-country, or mere political decisions. This was a decision comparable to the development and use of nuclear weapons. Measures against violence against women should be as strict and as important as those taken against nuclear weapons. The whole international community and the whole of the United Nations and everybody concerned should work together for mid-term solutions and long-term solutions.
Mid-term solutions included voting laws, preventive laws, and also laws punishing violence against women. Long-term solutions should include education and training, using both conventional and social media to influence perceptions, and using all religious bodies and institutions. The international community should prepare a big budget – if things were to be changed but there was no money, nothing could be done. Most importantly, everybody should work together in order to make changes. All should stay united in order to take big measures, not small measures, as the harm was not just done to women, it was done to the whole world.
REEM ALSALEM, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, said there was a need for clear messages from Governments that violence was unacceptable. Violence against women politicians must be assumed by male politicians. There were good practices to punish and criminalise online violence, such as in Australia. The Council could continue to pay attention to the reality of gendered censorship and the gendered digital divide.
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association
The interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.
Discussion
Many speakers, among other things, expressed concern about legislative threats to curtail the right to freedom of assembly and association for civil society. States needed to protect civil society and not criminalise and prosecute those who fought for human rights and exercised their rights to freedom of assembly and of association. Reparation needed to be provided for all violations committed by authorities against persons exercising these rights. All States needed to implement the recommendations of the report and end impunity.
One speaker expressed concern about the proliferation and use of lethal weapons by security forces to repress protests, calling for international regulation of such weapons.
Speakers expressed concern about the ongoing repression of peaceful protests in certain regions, and presented cases in certain States of violations of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, calling for measures to be introduced to stop and address those violations, provide reparation to victims, and facilitate the right to freedom of peaceful association and assembly.
Questions were asked on the Special Rapporteur’s efforts to promote the release of certain human rights defenders who were arrested for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; on how United Nations Member States could support civil society members to exercise their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the face of repression; and on the possibility of the establishment of an international norm on the use of lethal weapons by State security forces.
Concluding Remarks
CLÉMENT NYALETSOSSI VOULE, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, said lengthy sentences against human rights defenders were not justified under article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and he requested all States to release those detained for their efforts towards democracy and the rule of law. It was important for States to recognise the important work of activists towards building the rule of law and protecting democracy. Mr. Nyaletsossi Voule expressed support for certain imprisoned human rights defenders. He continued to support civil society in Asia and follow up certain legislative moves in the region: it was the responsibility of the Council to continue to pay attention to the situation of Afghan women and to pressure the de facto authority of Afghanistan to respect human rights, including the right to peaceful protest, and release the women detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
Mr. Nyaletsossi Voule said it was important, as he had mentioned in his report, that States and State officials refrained from using terrorist rhetoric when referring to activists, as this repressed peaceful protest, and created a climate of repression, giving liberty to law enforcement to repress. There was no justification for States or law enforcement to repress, torture, forcibly disappear or kill people for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and association. States must do their best to ensure accountability, the lack of which was another painful violation for victims. There must be clear protocols for law enforcement in cases of peaceful assembly. It was important to be sure when it came to the use of lethal weapons: the lack of a regulatory framework encouraged the abuse of such weapons.
VÁCLAV BÁLEK, President of the Human Rights Council, said as this was the Special Rapporteur’s last regular interactive dialogue during his term as Special Rapporteur, he expressed, on behalf of the Council, deep appreciation for the valuable contributions the Special Rapporteur had made to the work of the Council.
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights
Reports
The Council has before it the report of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, entitled The employment guarantee as a tool in the fight against poverty (A/HRC/53/33). There is an addendum to the report, on his Visit to Kyrgyzstan (A/HRC/53/33/Add.1).
Presentation of Reports
OLIVIER DE SCHUTTER, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said that he had presented to the General Assembly a report on the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of poverty. The report aimed to reflect the lived experience of people in poverty, who faced discrimination and abuse simply because they were poor. This “povertyism” was a scourge that needed to be taken as seriously as racism, sexism and homophobia, which were also major factors perpetuating poverty.
Mr. De Schutter said he continued to advocate for increased solidarity towards low-income countries in support of the establishment of social protection floors. Today, 60 per cent of low-income countries were either in or at high risks of debt distress, and many middle-income countries were also facing increasing debt vulnerabilities. The debt situation had worsened recently as interest rates had risen significantly, and as some 90 developing countries had seen their currencies weakened against the dollar in 2022. Mr. De Schutter proposed that such countries’ debts be forgiven and restructured if they invested in social protection and developed a national action plan on how to establish social protection floors with improved adequacy and increased coverage. There was a need to establish a global fund for social protection as part of the broader project for a “Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection”.
Since the last interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council, the cost-of-living crisis had continued, making recovery from the COVID-19-induced economic crisis very difficult for low-income households. The items for which prices had increased the most, food and energy, were also the items that represented the largest part in the budgets of poor households. Moreover, many households were in debt, and the reactions of central banks to inflation, which was to raise interest rates, would worsen the situation of indebted households. As a result of the rise in interest rates, companies were investing less, and layoffs were following. Poverty was rapidly increasing with widening inequalities, despite the apparent jobs’ recovery since the pandemic. Against such a background, it was imperative that they used all the tools at their disposal to combat poverty and strengthen the resilience against economic shocks, both of households and of countries. This was why he focused his thematic report to the Human Rights Council on the idea of the job guarantee.
In this report, Mr. De Schutter said he encouraged all actors, including governments and human rights mechanisms, to take seriously the right to work as a human right. The right to work could become an enforceable human right, guaranteeing to any adult able and willing to work a right to paid public employment. Governments should be obliged to act as an employer of last resort. Today, the most extraordinary and large-scale job guarantee programmes were being led by countries in the Global South. The largest, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, directly benefited 76 million households in 2020 and 2021. The Expanded Public Works Programme in South Africa created a million job opportunities in 2021 and 2022. Smaller schemes were up and running in the Global North, including in France, Austria and Belgium. From Kazakhstan to Ethiopia, Argentina to Greece, public employment schemes had been trialled and tested around the world, adding insight and evidence to this potentially transformative public policy.
Unemployment significantly increased the risk of poverty. Just one in five people who were unemployed received any kind of unemployment benefit, 52 per cent of people in high-income countries and 0.8 per cent in low-income countries. Unemployment benefits were often pitifully inadequate. Decent work had been proven to support social inclusion and build self-esteem, and had important mental and physical health benefits. Unemployed people were around twice as likely to report psychological problems as those who were in work. A job guarantee could be a powerful tool against poverty and discrimination, and ensure the integration of some of the most disadvantaged groups in the labour market. It could also help to address the global employment paradox that saw persistent unemployment and underemployment coexisting with unsatisfied societal needs.
An additional 470 million people would be looking for work in developing countries by 2035. There were simply not enough jobs to go around. Yet, there was certainly no shortage of work to be done. The greening of the economy and the growing care economy would require substantial workforces. The health, education and care capacity needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals in 45 countries, representing 60 per cent of the global population, would require 117 million additional jobs. They could not rely solely on economic growth to provide more jobs. It was job guarantee schemes that could provide and pay decently for these vital jobs.
Mr. De Schutter said he had conducted an official visit to Kyrgyzstan from 23 May to 3 June 2022, and to Bangladesh from 16 to 29 May 2023. Ecuador would also host an official visit from 28 August to 8 September this year. He intended to put more emphasis on the follow-up to the recommendations identified during country visits.
Statement by Country Concerned
Kyrgyzstan, speaking as a country concerned, said Kyrgyzstan had issued a standing invitation to all Special Procedures. The report highlighted and commended the efforts of the Government in combatting poverty, and successfully identified existing gaps and challenges, whilst also recognising the measures that had been implemented so far. The recommendations were greatly valued, particularly those regarding legal, institutional and programmatic reforms aimed at reducing poverty. Since 2022, Kyrgyzstan had launched a social contract project aimed at supporting low-income families: currently the country was developing a revised edition of the law on the rights of persons with disabilities. The Government had recently developed legislation on the provision of social services to those persons eligible. The Government had also developed plans of action for achieving gender equality. Kyrgyzstan appreciated the visit of the Special Rapporteur and the invaluable research conducted. Kyrgyzstan faced numerous challenges, including the debt burden, climate change, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which significantly impacted its efforts to alleviate poverty. Despite this the Government remained fully committed to enhancing the well-being of its citizens and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Discussion
In the ensuing discussion, many speakers said employment, as a means of providing income, was the backbone of poverty reduction efforts, and a multi-dimensional approach must be applied for this approach to lead to sustainable results. In poverty reduction, the private sector, local communities, international development partners and all relevant stakeholders had a role to play. There was a growing trend of net transfer of capital from the South to the North, condemning people to social exclusion, job loss, debt, and up-rooting from their traditional homes.
Unemployment could have far-reaching effects on individuals and on society as a whole. Full and productive employment and decent work for all contributed to the realisation of human rights, including the right to work by reducing poverty and discrimination. The labour market was not equal for all: there needed to be better integration of persons in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities, into the labour market and ensure social protection for those who were excluded from it. Innovative solutions were necessary to tackle poverty globally as was ensuring that the greening of the economy was fair and inclusive. It was essential to put in place policies to protect rights.
Clean and affordable energy was a critical input to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and respect for human rights, including those related to access to adequate food, housing, water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and information, including in digital media and entertainment. The availability of energy played a fundamental role in improving living standards, enhancing productivity, and unlocking development opportunities for individuals and communities. Without ensuring access to energy for all, it would be impossible to achieve the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals on reducing poverty, broadening the education base, and improving public health. Therefore, access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy was not only critical to the eradication of extreme poverty, but for the enjoyment of human rights by all.
The Special Rapporteur’s mandate constantly invited the international community to question their pre-conceived ideas in economic terms, and to put an end to poor-phobia and discrimination against the poor.
Among the questions raised were: what measures would the Special Rapporteur advise to eliminate employment precariousness as faced by women and girls and other marginalised groups; and how to make sure that the just transition to a green economy was human rights-based and inclusive of persons with disabilities and others in vulnerable situations.
Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the information media; not an official record.
English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
