IWTC WOMEN'S GLOBALNET #187
Initiatives and Activities of Women Worldwide
By Anne S. Walker

March 12, 2002

JOINT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY DECLARATION BY THREE SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Three Special Rapporteurs on Women's Rights (from the UN Commission on
Human Rights, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and African
Commission on Human and People's Rights) met for the first time in
Montreal on 28 February and 1 March, 2002, under the auspices of the
International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development
(Rights & Democracy), to identify avenues of collaboration on issues of common
concern.

The three Special Rapporteurs then issued the following Joint
Declaration for International Women's Day, March 8, 2002.

"Recalling that women's rights are human rights, we, the Special
Rapporteurs, reaffirm our commitment to international standards of
women's rights contained in, inter alia:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women;
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against
Women and its Optional Protocol;
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
The American Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocol in
the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
The American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man;
The Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and
Eradication of Violence against Women (Convention of Belem do Par);
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and
The 1999 Grand Baie Declaration and Plan of Action on human rights."

"We affirm that these international and regional instruments provide
comprehensive protection against gender-based violence and
discrimination against women. We call on all States that have not yet
done so to ratify the relevant treaties and to ensure compliance with
international norms."

"We emphasize that violence against women is understood as violence
perpetrated by any person within the home and the family, and within
the
community, as well as that perpetrated or condoned by the State,
including during armed conflict. Violence against women is a
manifestation of discrimination based on gender. We reaffirm that the
right of every woman to be free from violence includes the right to be
free from such discrimination and to enjoy equal protection under the
law."

"We recognize the diversity among women and the right of people in
community and with other members of their group to enjoy their own
culture. We recognize the particularities in the different regions
regarding the application of women's rights. However, States must not
invoke any custom, tradition or religious consideration to avoid their
obligations with respect to the elimination of violence and
discrimination against women. All women have the right to live in
freedom, equality and dignity."

"Violence against women and girls is perpetrated in every country in
the world. This occurs in situations of peace and conflict. However, the
State agents and private actors responsible are not held to account.
This climate of impunity encourages the persistence of such violations.
We urge States to take immediate action to end such impunity and to
bring perpetrators to justice."

"We reiterate that international standards of human rights protect
women from violence and discrimination by private non-State actors. States
have a duty to take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women by any person, organization or enterprise. States are
held to a due diligence standard to prevent, prosecute and punish those who
commit violence against women and to take measures to permanently
eradicate violence against women in their societies."

"While the international and regional communities have established
standards to prevent, punish and eradicate violence and discrimination
against women, many States have yet to take the steps necessary to
implement these standards in domestic legislation and practices. We
urge States to take appropriate action to bring their laws and practices
into conformity with these standards."

"We highlight the fact that women who have been subjected to violence
and discrimination generally lack access to effective judicial
protection and remedies. Strategies must be implemented that involve
law reform and, in particular, reform of the criminal justice system.
Training is required for policy makers, police, judges, and
prosecutors.There must also be provision of legal, medical and psychological
counseling and adequate social services for the victims. States should
use the education system and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the
general public to assist them in implementing international standards
at the national level."

"In light of these shared concerns we undertake to coordinate our
efforts to achieve greater effectiveness in our work through: (a)
exchange of information, including on laws and cases, as well as
mission-related information; (b) sharing ideas and strategies on how to
approach emerging issues and the violation of women's rights; (c)
harmonizing our recommendations to States; (d) communicating regularly
with regional and international NGOs, women's organizations and other
representatives of civil society for whom the promotion and protection
of women's human rights are central objectives. We undertake to keep
each other informed of the latest developments."

Signed

Ms. Radhika COOMARASWAMY
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and its
consequences, UN Commission on Human Rights

Ms. Marta ALTOLAGUIRRE
Special Rapporteur on Women's Rights
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Ms. Angela MELO
Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa,
African Commission on Human and People's Rights

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