The ICJ today addressed the UN Human Rights Council in the Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.
The statement reads as follows:
“Madam President,
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomes the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women.
The ICJ concurs that the most advanced legal framework to prosecute rape is enshrined in the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention. We note that the Convention is open for accession to non-Member States of the Council of Europe and we encourage all States to accede to it. We deeply regret the positions of certain States against the Convention and Turkey’s decision to denounce it, despite its UPR commitments to the contrary.
Madam Rapporteur, what is the impact of withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention by Turkey and the failures of others to accede to it on the rights of women and girls?
We are equally concerned at the ongoing high rates of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in South Africa. The CEDAW Committee recently found South Africa in violation of its CEDAW obligations of for failing to protect women against GBV, including domestic violence. The ICJ calls on the South African government to take immediate action to bring itself into compliance.
I thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949