6 Key Takeaways on Protecting Women’s Rights through International Law and Advocacy

More than 75 people gathered last Thursday for Protecting Women’s Rights: International Law & Advocacy, a full-day conference for advocates and lawyers organized by the International Justice Resource Center (IJRC). The training, held at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, featured some of the most distinguished human rights and women’s rights practitioners in the world speaking on a variety

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UN Human Rights Committee Issues Concluding Observations on State Reports of Chad, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and the United States

The UN Human Rights Committee held its 110th session from March 10 to 28 to consider the State reports of Chad, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and the United States of America. Following the session, the Committee released its concluding observations, detailing key concerns and recommendations for these States’ improved implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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El Salvador Allows Caesarean, but Not Abortion, to Save Life of Pregnant Woman Granted Provisional Measures by IACtHR

On May 29, 2013, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (the Court) granted provisional measures ordering El Salvador to take all necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of “Beatriz,” an ill, pregnant 22-year-old Salvadoran woman, in effect mandating termination of her pregnancy.  I/A Court H.R., Matter of B. Provisional Measures. Judgment of May 29, 2013, para. 17.

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African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Takes Action on Access to Information, Reproductive Health during 53rd Session

The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) is currently holding its 53rd Ordinary Session, from  April 9 to April 23, 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia.  During the session, the Commission’s agenda will include public hearings on the human rights situation in Africa, the review individual complaints (“communications”), States’ reports, and activity reports, and the launch of a model

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UN Commission on the Status of Women Concludes with Recommendations to Eradicate Violence against Women and Girls

The fifty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) concluded last week with its adoption of a historic set of conclusions, agreed to by 131 States, on the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. [UN News Centre] The agreed conclusions, which were drafted with the participation of civil society, urge governments and

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African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Issues First General Comments, on Women's Health and HIV

During its 52nd Ordinary Session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) adopted its first General Comments on any of its  legal instruments‘ meaning.   The General Comments pertain to Article 14(1)(d) and (e) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (commonly referred to as the Maputo Protocol), recognizing

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The International Emergence of South Africa and South African Civil Society

Adam Nord contributes this post illustrating and reflecting on the growing prominence of South Africa and its developing civil society in international legal affairs of significance for the entire globe.   In his position as Lobbying and Engagement Manager at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, based in Johannesburg, Adam plays an active role in influencing high-level decision makers with local

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