women’s rights – International Justice Resource Center

African Rights Court Issues Landmark Advisory Opinion Rejecting Vagrancy Laws

December 9, 2020 IJRC African System, children, discrimination, due process & judicial protection, economic, social & cultural rights, equal protection, family, international human rights, liberty & security of person, women's rights

On December 4, 2020, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) published and delivered an advisory opinion declaring national laws that criminalize vagrancy to be incompatible with human rights standards. [AfCHPR Press Release] The opinion concludes that laws that essentially criminalize homelessness, poverty, or unemployment are overly broad and allow for abuse. The Court held that such laws

Inter-American Court Issues First Judgment on Sexual Violence in School

August 26, 2020 IJRC children, discrimination, due process & judicial protection, education, Inter-American System, international human rights, reproductive and sexual rights, right to life, torture, women's rights

Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) published its first judgment to identify States’ obligations to prevent and redress sexual violence in schools. See I/A Court H.R., Guzmán Albarracín and Others v. Ecuador. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of 24 June 2020. Series C No. 405 (Spanish). The case concerned Paola del Rosario Guzmán Albarracín, who was

Turkey, Poland Consider Leaving Istanbul Convention on Violence against Women

August 6, 2020 IJRC European System, international human rights, women's rights

As violence against women spikes around the world, at least two States are considering limiting their international human rights commitments to prevent and protect against gender-based violence. Poland and Turkey are both reportedly studying the possibility of withdrawing from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, commonly known as the Istanbul Convention.

Gender Pay Gap Pervasive in Europe, Social Rights Committee Finds

July 28, 2020 IJRC discrimination, economic, social & cultural rights, European System, international human rights, labor rights, women's rights

In 15 decisions published last month, the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) determined that 14 European States are in violation of their obligations to ensure women’s rights to equal pay and equal opportunities in the workplace. [ECSR] In August 2016, University Women of Europe (UWE), an international nongovernmental organization, submitted the separate complaints against each of the 15 States

Expert Calls for Greater Accountability for Sexual Abuse by UN Personnel

March 18, 2020 IJRC international human rights, UN General Assembly, Universal system, women's rights

The latest report by the United Nations Victims’ Rights Advocate (VRA) reviews the progress made in 2019 to address sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel, and calls on the international community to dedicate additional resources to supporting and protecting victims and ensuring accountability. [UN News] Jane Connors, the first-ever UN Victims’ Rights Advocate is responsible for strengthening the

Spanish Courts’ Handling of Obstetric Violence Violated CEDAW, Committee Finds

March 11, 2020 IJRC discrimination, economic, social & cultural rights, health, international human rights, UN treaty bodies, Universal system, women's rights

In its first decision regarding obstetric violence, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) has found that Spain violated the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) when domestic courts did not adequately assess a woman’s claims that she had been subjected to excessive and unnecessary exams, medication, and other interventions

February 2020: UN Treaty Bodies, Human Rights Council, and Regional Bodies in Session

January 31, 2020 IJRC African System, children, economic, social & cultural rights, European System, Inter-American System, international human rights, monthly overview, regional human rights protection, UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Procedures, UN treaty bodies, Universal system, women's rights

In February, universal and regional human rights bodies and experts will assess States’ compliance with their human rights obligations through the consideration of State and civil society reports and country visits. Four United Nations treaty bodies and one pre-sessional working group will be in session to assess States’ progress regarding children’s rights, women’s rights, the prevention of torture, and economic,

Special Rapporteur’s New Report Addresses Abuses in Reproductive Healthcare

October 10, 2019 IJRC international human rights, reproductive and sexual rights, UN Special Procedures, Universal system, women's rights

In her latest report to the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences outlined a human rights-based approach to the violence and mistreatment that many women suffer in reproductive health services, focusing specifically on childbirth and obstetric care. See Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and

Committee Against Torture Decides First Complaint on Sexual Violence in Conflict

September 5, 2019 IJRC armed conflict, international human rights, torture, UN treaty bodies, women's rights

The United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) issued its first decision against the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina, finding that rape and other acts of sexual violence constitute torture under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Convention), and ordering the State to pay “fair and adequate compensation” and provide free medical and

Belém do Pará Follow-up Mechanism Issues Recommendations on Missing Women

August 15, 2019 IJRC Inter-American System, international human rights, regional human rights protection, women's rights

On August 8, 2019, the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belém do Pará Convention (MESECVI) presented a new general recommendation providing guidance to States in addressing “the high number of missing women and girls in some countries” of the Americas and the inadequacy of available data on this type of violence against women. [MESECVI Press Release] The document is the second-ever