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PRESS
RELEASE
Nº 10/02
THE
THREE RAPPORTEURS ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN EXPRESS
The Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
wishes to report on the signing of a declaration
by the three Rapporteurs on the rights of women.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Radhika Coomaraswamy,
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences of
the United Nations, Marta Altolaguirre, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of
Women of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Angela Melo,
Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women of the African Commission on Human
and Peoples’ Rights issued a joint declaration
reaffirming the right of women to be free from violence and discrimination,
and condemning the fact that “[v]iolence against women is perpetrated in
every country in the world.” The
declaration is the result of the first joint meeting of the rapporteurs,
organized by Rights & Democracy, that was held last week in Montreal,
Canada.
In their declaration, the Rapporteurs highlight that women’s rights
are human rights, and that international and regional instruments provide
broad guarantees against gender-based violence and discrimination against
women. The Rapporteurs exhort
all States to ensure compliance with these international standards.
In particular, they underline that violence against women includes
acts of violence perpetrated by any person in the home, in the family or in
the community, as well as acts perpetrated or tolerated by the State.
As is reflected in the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention,
Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, “Convention of Belém
do Pará,” such violence is a manifestation of discrimination based on
gender.
The Rapporteurs emphasize that States are obliged to apply due
diligence to prevent violence against women, to prosecute and punish those
who perpetrate acts of this nature, and to adopt measures to eradicate such
violence in their societies. However,
the declaration highlights that the fact that state agents and private
persons and entities are not being held to account for their actions creates
a climate of impunity that encourages the persistence of these violations of
rights. The Rapporteurs urge
states to take immediate “action to bring their laws and practices into
conformity with these standards.” A
copy of the declaration is attached. Following their meeting in Montreal, the three Rapporteurs expressed their full satisfaction with the results obtained, and indicated their interest in continuing to meet periodically in order to call the attention of the international community to the principal threats to the free exercise of women’s rights.
Washington, D.C., March 8, 2002 |