HRC 41 - EU Intervention: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking

Mr President,

The EU highly appreciates the 25 years of work of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences. In particular, the role the mandate has played in the recognition of violence against women as a violation of women’s human rights and a form of gender based discrimination, in developing normative standards on violence against women and girls and making different stakeholders more aware of international standards on such violence.

The EU also appreciates that a gender perspective has been incorporated within the framework of many other special procedures, but would like to reiterate that this should be done across all special procedures.

The Special Rapporteur points out in her latest report, that while progress on gender equality and human rights has been made, the mounting opposition towards women’s and girls’ rights is getting stronger day by day.

The EU shares the concern about this global backlash against feminism, gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment, which contributes to an increase in gender based violence against women and girls. Women’s rights organisations, feminist groups and women human rights defenders, for instance, face difficulties in accessing funds, and we are witnessing a rise in sexist hate speech and online violence and harassment. We recognise that, unfortunately the EU is not immune to these worrying phenomena. 

In order to counter these negative trends there is an urgent need to ensure system wide coherence, as rightly pointed out by the Special Rapporteur.  The example given on the cooperation between the CEDAW Committee and the Special Rapporteur is a good illustration of the way in which these two independent bodies can support each other in promoting women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of all human rights.

The EU also expresses its support for the Special Rapporteur’s call for greater cooperation between the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and UN Women and the need for improved follow up of the reports and recommendations issued within the purview the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.

Ms. Simonovic,

Do you have concrete advice on how the coordination between relevant UN actors as well as their cooperation – where appropriate - with the monitoring mechanisms provided by regional instruments, such as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention), can be further enhanced and how Member States can assist in improving the coherence of their work when it comes to preventing and responding to gender-based violence effectively?

Thank you.

Turning on to the Special Rapporteur on trafficking

Mr. President,

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur, Ms Giammarinaro, for her insightful report.

Your well-balanced approach unpacks the complex challenges of social inclusion. Thus, it assists in achieving the fulfillment of human rights of victims of trafficking.

As you rightly point out in your report, we need a stronger focus on long-term solutions and protection of the rights of trafficked persons. The EU recognizes that social inclusion is a lengthy process and joins your call for long-term anti-trafficking measurements that enable meaningful participation in society.

We also thank you for your report on your visit to Nigeria. The EU has taken great efforts to cooperate with Nigeria in addressing trafficking.

Ms Giammarinaro, the EU and its Member States fully share the concerns outlined in your report. Trafficking in human beings is a grave violation of human rights. The EU has in place an ambitious and comprehensive legal and policy framework, anchored in the EU Anti-trafficking Directive, which is human rights-based, victim-centered, gender-specific and child-sensitive, under the mandate of the EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator.

You recommend allocating adequate resources to protect and empower survivors of trafficking. EU Anti-Trafficking actions also form a key part of our external policies and funding, and we stand ready to continue working with our international partners. 

Ms Giammarinaro, be assured of our willingness to closely cooperate with you during your mandate - we wish you all success for your continued work.

Madame Special Rapporteur,

In your report, you mention the cooperation with the private sector. Could you give examples of best practice?