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URGENT ACTION: Call on States to Support UN Resolution on WHRDs

Submitted by yasmin on Wed, 11/20/2013 - 17:54
in

There is less than a week before the draft resolution will come up for adoption. 

The following States have co-sponsored the resolution so far:
Armenia, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, EU, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Jordan, Lebanon, Vanuatu, Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, USA,  New Zealand.

But push back continues on several aspects of the text, including:  

  • the inclusion of references to gender
  • explicit reference to WHRDs working to promote sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights and matters related to sexuality
  • several States  are pushing for the inclusion of more references to the 'responsibilities' of human rights defenders.

Over 70 African civil society organisations have signed an open letter to the Africa Group urging them to support all aspects of the resolution

We need to keep urging States to support the resolution! 


Now would be the time to:

  • follow up your prior contacts with State representatives particularly at Foreign Ministries, urging them to instruct their UN missions to support the resolution
  • contact National Human Rights Institutions:  encourage them to urge the State to support the resolution
  • outreach to fellow civil society organisations - encourage them to add their voice in support of the resolution



We are calling on States to support a resolution that:

  • acknowledges the vital role all women human rights defenders play in our societies
  • outlines specific protection measures States should put in place to ensure the protection of women human rights defenders
  • makes specific reference to the fact that women human rights defenders who work on sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights and matters related to sexuality, face particular risks of violations and abuses of their rights

 

This resolution is about women human rights defenders in our communities who face threats and attacks, often on a daily basis, at the hands of the State and non-State actors.  States have an obligation to ensure the promotion and protection of our work, and must stand up and be counted at the UN!

Show your support #protectWHRDs