STATEMENT OF FEMINIST AND WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS ON THE
VERY ALARMING TRENDS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS OF OUTCOME DOCUMENT OF THE 57TH SESSION
OF THE UN COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
We, the undersigned organisations and individuals
across the globe, are again alarmed and disappointed that the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is wavering in its commitment to
advance women’s human rights as demonstrated in the constant negotiation of the
language in the outcome document continues.
On the occasion of celebrating the International
Women’s Day we call on the states to reaffirm its commitment to agreed upon
standards in promoting women’s human rights as articulated in the Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action, the Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence against Women, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the
International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action as
well as other international humanitarian and human rights law.
We say NO to any re-opening of negotiations on the
already established international agreements on women’s human rights and call
on all governments to demonstrate their commitments to promote, protect and
fulfill human rights and fundamental freedoms of women.
It is alarming that states are continuing to negotiate
established standards that they themselves have agreed to as we are witnessing
in the last few days of negotiation. Considering the lack of an outcome
document last year we hope that this is not the pattern when it comes to
advancing women’s human rights agenda. Women’s human rights are not to be
negotiated away.
Similar to last year, we strongly hold the position
that given the progressive development in the international era on standard
setting there should no longer be any contention on any issues related to the
definition and intersectionality of women and girls experiencing violence
against women, including in relations to sexual and reproductive health and
rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, harmful practices perpetuated
in the context of negative culture and traditions, among others. We remind
states that the CSW is the principal global policy-making body dedicated
exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women with the sole aim of
promoting women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational
fields. Its mandate is to ensure the full implementation of existing
international agreements on women’s human rights and gender equality.
We strongly demand all governments and the
international community to reject any attempt to invoke traditional values or
morals to infringe upon human rights guaranteed by international law, nor to
limit their scope. Customs, tradition or religious considerations must not be
tolerated to justify discrimination and violence against women and girls
whether committed by State authorities or by non-state actors. Given the
current global activism around violence against women it is imperative that
member states take the lead is agreeing on a progressive outcome document that
reaffirms its commitments to universal human rights standards.
This
is an important moment as we are planning the post 2015 process. The outcome
document has to advance women’s human rights and not lower the bar for women’s
human rights. Future international negotiations must move forward implementation
of policies and programmes that secure the human rights of girls and women.
We call upon the member states of the UN and the
various UN human rights and development entities to recognise and support the
important role of women’s groups and organisations working at the forefront of
challenging traditional values and practices that are intolerant to fundamental
human rights norms, standards and principles.
Drafted by:
Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL)
International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific
(IWRAW Asia Pacific)
Endorsed by:
Amnesty International
ANIS - Institute
of Bioethics , Human Rights and Gender
– Brazil
Women's
Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
WO=MEN
Dutch Gender Platform
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