In
the October 2010 session, the Commission on the Elimination of All forms of
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva proposed a general recommendation for the protection of
women’s human rights in conflict and post-conflict contexts.
On July 18th,
2011 the recommendation was presented to member states and civil society
meeting of CEDAW at the UN in New
York. In the
opening statement of Mr. Ivan Simonovic, Assistant Secretary General in New York for the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said, “the
CEDAW Committee’s general discussion on the protection of women’s human rights
in conflict and post-conflict contexts is very timely. A general recommendation on this issue will
provide a deeper understanding of the gender dimensions of conflict as well as
appropriate and authoritative guidance to States on the measures to be adopted
to ensure full compliance with their obligations to protect, respect and
fulfill women’s human rights during times of armed conflict, the immediate
aftermath of conflict and long-term post-conflict reconstruction.”
The recommendation was presented during the
session in New York
to allow global consultation and discussion.
Several statements by governments and civil society will be considered
for the final drafting of the recommendation.
The importance of this recommendation for human rights of women and
girls is substantial. As CEDAW is an authoritative legal instrument
on women’s human rights and a binding source of international law for the 186
states who have ratified it, such violations as occur in conflict and
post-conflict areas can be brought before the CEDAW committee for review. This
recommendation, when final, will allow individuals, non-governmental
organisations, international agencies and representatives of civil society to
report violations to the CEDAW experts
in Geneva and New York.
Reported by Lois Beilin
SI UN Representative to New York
July 2011