Sexual and Reproductive Rights

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Gender equality and human rights approaches to female genital mutilation: a review of international human rights norms and standards

This paper aims to ensure that health providers understand international policy and the human rights basis for upholding women and children’s...

KR v Miskolc County Hospital

Hungary upholds Romani women’s right to equality in health institutions

In February 2016, a Romani woman gave birth a public hospital in Miskolc, north-eastern Hungary. During labour she cried out with pain and the midwife yelled at her “if you shout once more I will push the pillow into your face”. When the woman apologised, the doctor said to her “if you had shouted once more I would have called the psychiatrist to take away child away and then you wouldn’t receive Child Benefit, because anyway, you gypsies give birth only for the money!”

Devika Biswas v. Union of India & Others, Petition No. 95 of 2012

Right to choose and refuse sterilization reaffirmed by India

In January 2012, up to 53 women underwent a sterilization procedure in Bihar, India, at a sterilization camp managed by an NGO which had been granted accreditation by the District Health Society, apparently without following any formal, transparent process. The women had not been given any counseling regarding the potential dangers and outcomes of the sterilization procedures. They were operated on in a school rather than a hospital, in an unsanitary and unethical manner, all by a single surgeon, under torchlight on top of a school desk, and without running water or sanitary gloves.

Members mobilize for human rights in response to the Trump administration

The United States government threatened to systematically undermine the human rights of communities in the US, and around the world, during the first week following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. In the days immediately following Trump’s election, the...

K.L. v. Peru, CCPR/C/85/D/1153/2003, Communication No. 1153/2003

In 2002, the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) accepted this communication as admissible for consideration. This case concerns the plight of K.L., a 17-year-old who was pregnant with an anencephalic foetus. Anencephalia is a condition incompatible with life for the fetus, and that jeopardizes the pregnant woman's health. Her doctor informed K.L. that her pregnancy complications exposed her to a life-threatening risk. Upon his advice, she decided to terminate her pregnancy.

General Comment No. 22 (2016) on the Right to sexual and reproductive health

General Comment No. 22 (2016) on the Right to sexual and reproductive health (article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights)

I. Introduction...

Hong Kong: Zi Teng defends the rights of sex workers

On the 13th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers,...

Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development & 3 Others v. Attorney General (2015), Constitutional Appeal No. 1 of 2013

In 2011, the petitioners filed a constitutional petition alleging that the government had violated the Ugandan Constitution through acts and omissions with regard to maternal health services. More specifically, the petitioners contended that the government had failed to provide basic maternal health services and to adequately budget for maternal health and that the unethical behavior of health workers led to the preventable deaths of expectant mothers during childbirth.

International Human Rights Violations on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

This second updated edition, prepared by the International Commission of Jurists addresses the issue of human rights violations on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The objective of this document is to compile relevant existing information in order to frame the debate, and...

How Sexuality Is Used to Attack Women's Organizing

This report shows how, for many activists and organizations, advocating for "sexual rights" has become a dangerous proposition. It illustrates how the combined forces which conspire, in society after society, to regulate women’s sexuality, lash out at any attempt to...