During the March session of the Human Rights Council FEDERA made a statement on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review on Poland. The statement derived from the UPR report FEDERA and Sexual Rights Initiative submitted to the Human Rights Council for the purpose of Poland’s review. In the statement we welcomed the robust recommendations addressed to Poland on sexual and reproductive health and rights and women’s rights (17 of them on SRHR only!), and READ MORE
Category: United Nations
FEDERA AT THE 52ND SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – DECRIMINALIZATION OF ABORTION IN POLAND IS IMPERATIVE
Human Rights Council 52nd session of the Human Rights Council March 2023 Thank you, President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. Decriminalisation of abortion in Poland is imperative. The recent case of criminal conviction of an ?activist who helped in abortion and persistent denials of legal abortion services demonstrate that only full liberalisation and decriminalisation of abortion would make a change in the Polish context. READ MORE
POLAND’S UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – 17 RECOMMENDATIONS ON ACCESS TO SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTION
The review of Poland under the Fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review was held on 15 November 2022 by the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. Two days after the Working Group adopted the report on Poland containing 433 recommendations to improve the protection of human rights as regards its full spectrum covered by the international human rights treaties. In the area of sexual and reproductive rights Poland has received recommendations from 17 States. READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT AT THE 51ST SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IN GENEVA
In this session’s statement FEDERA focus is on access to sexual and reproductive health services for survivors of sexual assaults including refugees from Ukraine and Belarus. Human Rights Council 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council September 2022 Thank you President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. Ukrainian refugees even those who are survivors of sexual assault face severe obstacles in access to abortion READ MORE
FEDERA STATEMENT FOR THE 50TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IN INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Human Rights Council 50th regular session of the Human Rights Council 16 June 2022 Thank you Mr. President, I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. We welcome the Working Group’s report and analysis on the importance and restrictions faced by young feminist activists, including those organizing for sexual rights. In Poland too, young feminists organizing for abortion access are facing threats, reprisals and criminalization for READ MORE
FEDERA AND SRI’S REPORT TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FOR THE UPR OF POLAND
Foundation for Women and Family Planning (FEDERA) and the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) submitted a joint report on the state and degree of violations of sexual and reproductive rights by Poland for the Fourth Universal Periodic Review of Poland planned for November 2022. The report focuses on violations of women’s sexual and reproductive rights in and the stark impact of the restriction on abortion introduced in November 2020 that amounts to quasi total abortion ban READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT CONCERNING THREATS FOR SRHR DURING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN POLAND READ DURING THE UN HRC SESSION
On March 22, during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, our statement was read. Human Rights Council 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council ITEM 4 General debate 21 March 2022 I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. As a result of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, around 2 million Ukrainians fled to Poland[1] majority of whom are women READ MORE
THE FEDERATION’S REPORT THE UN COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
In January 2022 the Federation for Women and Family Planning submitted report to the Committee against Torture for its consideration in the context of the preparation of the List of Issues Prior to Reporting on Poland’s implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This submission highlights Poland’s ongoing failure to comply with its human rights obligations under the Convention concerning access to safe abortion care. The READ MORE
FEDERATION’S STATEMENTS AT THE 48TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On 1 October the Federation presented its statement at the debate on Universal Periodic Reviews in the context of Poland’s upcoming review in 2020. We urged Human Rights Council and all member states to hold our government accountable for obligations to ensure right to safe, legal and accessible abortion, modern contraception and comprehensive sexuality education. On 4 October our statement was read out for the occasion of the International Safe Abortion Day. As each year READ MORE
HRC48 JOINT CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON ABORTION – REQUEST TO SIGN UNTIL 1 OCTOBER
For the International Safe Abortion Day, the Federation for Women and Family Planning within the coalition of the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, the International Service for Human Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement READ MORE
THE FEDERATION REPORTS TO THE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
26 August 2021 — The 88th session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will be held this September during which Poland is to report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Federation for Women and Family Planning submitted a report to the Committee presenting Poland’s numerous deficiencies in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention as regards ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services, including READ MORE
WE DEMAND DECRIMINALIZATION OF ABORTION IN POLAND – THE FEDERATION’S STATEMENT AT THE UN HRC47
Human Rights Council47th regular session of the Human Rights Council21 June 2021 – 13 July 2021ID with WG on discrimination against women – report on Women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights in crisis I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland.We welcome the Working Group’s reports on SRHR in crisis, on its visit to Romania, and its continuous monitoring of the SRHR crisis in Poland READ MORE
65TH SESSION OF THE UN COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
March 19 — From 15 to 26 March 2021, the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is taking place. Due to COVID-19 situation, most of the meetings are virtual. Priority theme this year is: Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Read more about the CSW and its programme READ MORE
OUR STATEMENT ON THE 46TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council the Federation for Women and Family Planning, on behalf of the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice presented the statement on yet more alarming violations of reproductive rights of Polish women. Watch the debate here. 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 3: General Debate Federation for Women and Family Planning, Poland 8 March 2021 Thank you, President, The Federation READ MORE
SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF UN RECOMMENDATIONS ON ABORTION IN POLAND – Oct 2020
Poland has received several recommendations from the UN on abortion. Several UN treaty bodies have also recommended Poland to expand access to abortion in order to comply with its human rights obligations under the Convention against Torture,[i] the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,[ii] the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,[iii] the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,[iv] the Convention on the Rights of the Child,[v] and the READ MORE
Statement for the 44th session of the Human Rights Council
This statement was delivered by the Federation for Women and Family Planning during the 44th session of the Human Rights Council. Watch the presentation of the statement We welcome the report of the WG on Women’s human rights in the changing world of work and strongly advocate for the recommendations included in the report to be taken seriously by the member states. Referring to the 2018 WG’s visit in Poland, the Federation wishes to evidence READ MORE
CSW64 & Beijing+25 – Feminist Declaration and our statement
Twenty-five years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the foundational global document on gender equality, governments at an abbreviated session of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) have reaffirmed a commitment to gender equality but, according to leading feminist groups and activists, fell short of committing to the transformative steps necessary to achieve this vision. To address the gaps in the political declaration adopted at the CSW READ MORE
Statements for the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council
We present statements that the Federation for Women and Family Planning submitted during the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. Details on resolutions, panels and debates relevant to SRHR can be found on the website of our partner Sexual Rights Initiative. Statement regarding the situation in Poland on the occasion of the International Women’s Day Thank you, Madam President. I deliver this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning. The READ MORE
“Sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe”
he Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 is the most ambitious road map for the empowerment of women and girls everywhere. In 2020, it will be 25 years since the Beijing Platform for Action set strategic objectives and actions for the achievement of gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern. The Beijing+25 Regional Review Meeting provided a forum for UNECE member States to review progress and identify challenges in the implementation of the Beijing READ MORE
Statements for the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council
The International Safe Abortion Day marked the 42nd session of the HUman Rights Council. The Federation for Women and Family Planning issued its own statements or joined statements of our partner Sexual Rights Initiative. Statement on behalf of the Coalition for EQuality and Choice Right to abortion is an essential part of women’s sexual and reproductive lives and health and is fundamental to women’s right to bodily autonomy. The human right to life and READ MORE
Joint statement on the outcome of the 41st session of the Human Rights Council
“Critical gains despite backlash”, reads a joint statement by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual Rights Initiative, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Plan International, Choice for Youth and Sexuality, Arrow, the Coalition of African Lesbians, the Federation for Women and Family Planning, IPPF, RFSU and AWID on the outcome of the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Download in a PDF file Despite concerted opposition by some States and anti-rights organizations READ MORE
Supplemental Information on Poland for the Review by the Committee against Torture
Federation for Women and Family Planning, Women Enabled International, Magdalena Szarota (Lancaster University and Association of Disabled Women. ONE.pl) and independent researchers Agnieszka Król and Agnieszka Wołowicz respectfully present this submission to the Committee against Torture due to its review of Poland’s compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Supplemental Information on Poland for the Review by the Committee against Torture in a PDF file The Federation for READ MORE
Global South Leadership on Women’s and Girls’ Rights
Kindly find below and attached herewith a joint statement by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual Rights Initiative, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, CREA, Women Enabled International, Arrow, the Coalition of African Lesbians, the Federation for Women and Family Planning and Akahatá on the outcome of the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. We applaud South Africa’s leadership in bringing forth a resolution on discrimination against women and girls in sports READ MORE
Cherry-picking of women’s human rights. Summary of the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
Feminist persistence at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has delivered new international standards on women’s human rights to social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure. These gains were achieved in spite of the increasingly polarised political environment at the UN’s biggest annual gathering on women’s rights. “In the face of extreme pressure and cyber-bullying, the majority of delegations stood strong in defence of women’s human rights. What we’ve READ MORE
Statement for the 40th Human Rights Council
We welcome the tenth anniversary report and strategies for advancing cultural rights for the next decade presented by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. We recognise the importance of those rights within the universal human rights framework. We welcome the commitment of the Special Rapporteur to giving a voice to human rights defenders, including women’s human right defenders. As it has been underlined, such approach strengthens their interest in the mandate especially READ MORE
Statement for the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women
Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland, Union Women’s Center from Georgia, “Women and Modern World” Social Charitable Center from Azerbaijan and Women’s Rights Center from Armenia are Economic and Social Council accredited organisations working in the field of women’s rights in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus and operate on national, regional and international level. We welcome the focus and the theme of the 63rd Commission of the Status of Women on READ MORE
Statement for the 40th Human Rights Council on cultural rights
This statement was delivered at the 40th session of the Human Right Council by the Federation for Women and Family Planning on behalf of the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice from Poland. The statements refers to the report by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights “Cultural rights: tenth anniversary report“. We welcome the tenth anniversary report and strategies for advancing cultural rights for the next decade presented by the Special Rapporteur READ MORE
Statements for the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council
This is a statement of the Federation for Women and Family Planning on behalf of the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice from Poland. It was delivered at the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 24th in support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion. We welcome the report of the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in READ MORE
Joint submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Federation for Women and Family Planning, TUS Foundation, Strefa Wenus z Milo Association, Elektrownia Inspiracji Foundation, Stowarzyszenie Inicjatyw Kobiecych/Association of Women Initiatives and Agnieszka Wołowicz respectfully present this submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in advance of its review of Poland’s compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The submission addresses concerns regarding women with disabilities’ enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights and raises questions READ MORE
Statements for the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council
This joint statement expresses support for the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice and commends the Working Group’s strong report to the Council on reasserting equality and countering rollbacks [A /HRC/38/46] Co-signatories: Center for Reproductive Rights, RFSU, IPPF, SRI, The Federation for Women and Family Planning, ASTRA Network, Plan International, AWID. The signatories commend the Working Group for its fruitful labour since the inception of its mandate. Over the years, READ MORE
Statement for the 51st session of the Commission on Population and Development
The Federation for Women and Family Planning with its partners and allies from Central and Eastern Europe welcomes the theme of fifty-first session of the Commission on Population and Development: “Sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration” (9-13.04.2018). Statement for the 51 session of the Commission on Population and Development in a PDF file In the world’s rapidly growing urban spaces, international migrants represent a critical mass. We would like to highlight the issue of READ MORE
Statement for the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women
The Federation for Women and Family Planning welcomes the sixty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women (12-23.03.208) and its priority theme of “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”. Statement in a PDF file Central and Eastern European region serves as an example of remaining challenges in progress concerning achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls, particularly in the area READ MORE
Poland against UN standards on abortion and capital punishment
The ongoing battle around fundamental reproductive rights in Poland becomes even more fierce. Government’s attempts to criminalize abortions and make one of the toughest anti-abortion laws even stricter are expressed in its statement delivered to the Human Rights Committee. Polish non-governmental organizations are deeply concerned about the official remarks to the General Comment No 36 on article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the right to life. The General Comments READ MORE
Joint Statement on Access to Safe and Legal Abortion Globally
HRC36: General Debate Item 8 25th September 2017 Joint statement on behalf of Action Canada for Population and Development; Federation for Women and Family Planning; Center for Reproductive Rights; Ipas; ActionAid; Advocates for Youth; ARC International (Allied Rainbow Communities International); Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW); Asociación Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana “Profamilia”; Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID); Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network; Catholics for Choice; Center for Women’s Global Leadership READ MORE
Universal Periodic Review of Poland – statement for the 36th session of Human Rights Council
This statement is made on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning. Poland has yet failed to implement any of the recommendations it accepted pertaining to sexual and reproductive health from the previous Cycles. The situation is getting worse each year because of Polish authorities’ activity and abandonment. First, Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. However, hospitals’ arbitrary and unlawful procedures, abusive performance of conscientious objection, lack of READ MORE
Support the HRC36 Joint NGO statement on safe and legal abortion
In support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, Sexual Rights Initiative, Center for Reproductive Rights and Ipas have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the upcoming 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The session runs from Sept. 11-29, and the most suitable Council agenda item for the statement would appear to be the general debate on the implementation of READ MORE
Statement of the Federation and SRI for Human Rights Council
Today on 34th session of the Human Rights Council Federation for Women and Family Planning, in collaboration with Sexual Rights Initiative, provided a statement on the on the Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. Read Krystyna Kacpura’s, director of Federation for Women and Family Planning, statement here.
Joint statement on the planned restrictions on the availability of emergency contraception in Poland
ASTRA together with ASTRA Youth, as part of coalition of civil society organizations working on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights – You Act, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality and the European Consortium for Emergency Contraception, sent a letter to the representatives of the European Commission, to voice our concern on the current developments in Poland with regards to women and girls’ reproductive health and rights. The Polish Minister of Health recently announced the plan READ MORE
The statement of the Federation for UN Human Rights Committee
Today on 118 th session of the UN Human Rights Committe Federation for Women and Family Planning provided a statement on the realisation of reproductive rights in Poland. Read Krystyna Kacpura’s, director of Federation for Women and Family Planning, statement here.
Shadow Report available on UN website
Alternative Report to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is already available on United Nation’s webiste. Report submitted by the Polish informal coalition for the CCPR for consideration of the UN Human Rights Committee was prepared by Federation for Women and Family Planning and other organizations such as: Polish Society of Antidiscrimination Law (coordinator of the report works) TUS Foundation Trans-Fuzja Foundation Open Republic – Association against anti-Semitism and xenophobia Campaign Against Homophobia READ MORE