UN Human Rights Council Passes Historic Resolution to Protect Intersex Rights

Key Takeaways

• The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a groundbreaking resolution to protect the rights of intersex people, marking a landmark advancement in human rights.
• The resolution aims to combat discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against intersex people, addressing human rights violations and global discriminatory laws and policies.
• The resolution requires the preparation of a report examining harmful practices and root causes, as well as best practices and legal interventions, to be presented at the council's 60th session in 2025.
• The resolution was adopted with 24 countries in favor, none against, and 23 abstentions, signaling growing international resolve to address rights violations experienced by intersex individuals.
• Up to 1.7% of the world's population is estimated to be born intersex, and while this is the first resolution on intersex people, the UN has previously implemented initiatives related to the protection of intersex individuals.

News Content

The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution aimed at protecting intersex people's rights. This resolution seeks to combat discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against intersex individuals. It also requires the preparation of a report examining global discriminatory laws and policies, violence, and root causes, addressing best practices for legal interventions. The move was spearheaded by Finland, South Africa, Chile, and Australia and was called "groundbreaking" by the Human Rights Watch, showcasing growing international resolve to address rights violations experienced by people born with variations in their sex characteristics.

According to the U.N.'s OHCHR, up to 1.7% of the world's population is estimated to be born intersex. Intersex individuals may identify with any gender identity or sexual orientation and can be subject to discrimination or forced medical treatments from a young age. The resolution signifies a landmark advancement in human rights and is the first of its kind, reflecting the organization's commitment to addressing the protection of intersex people.

It's worth noting that while this move is the first resolution on intersex people, the OHCHR has previously implemented initiatives related to their protection, highlighting the organization's ongoing efforts to address the rights and well-being of intersex individuals. This significant development emphasizes the importance of advocating for and protecting the rights of marginalized communities.

Analysis

The United Nations Human Rights Council's resolution on intersex people reflects a global shift towards addressing discrimination and violence against this marginalized community. The increasing international support, spearheaded by Finland, South Africa, Chile, and Australia, signals a growing resolve to combat rights violations experienced by intersex individuals. This groundbreaking move may lead to greater legal interventions and policy changes to protect intersex individuals' rights. Short-term consequences may include heightened awareness, while long-term effects could involve improved legal protections and societal acceptance. With up to 1.7% of the global population estimated to be born intersex, this resolution marks a pivotal advancement in human rights advocacy.

Do You Know?

• Intersex People's Rights Resolution: The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution aimed at protecting intersex people's rights, which seeks to combat discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against intersex individuals. This represents a groundbreaking move reflecting international resolve to address rights violations experienced by people born with variations in their sex characteristics.

• Global Discriminatory Laws and Policies Report: The resolution requires the preparation of a report examining global discriminatory laws and policies, violence, and root causes, addressing best practices for legal interventions in order to safeguard the rights of intersex individuals. This signifies a landmark advancement in human rights, reflecting the organization's commitment to addressing the protection of intersex people.

• OHCHR's Ongoing Efforts: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has previously implemented initiatives related to the protection of intersex individuals, highlighting the organization's ongoing efforts to address their rights and well-being. This significant development emphasizes the importance of advocating for and protecting the rights of marginalized communities.