Open Letter calls on the UN to stand with women human rights defenders
01-09-2021
An open letter calling on the UN, Security Council and Member States to stand with women human rights defenders, peacebuilders and civil society leaders was sent to all UN Member States on behalf of 380 civil society organizations across 88 countries in advance of the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in October 2021.
"We are deeply concerned by the crisis in Afghanistan and the plight of the many Afghan women civil society leaders, peacebuilders, human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists at grave risk, who have either been forced to flee or remain trapped in the country since the Taliban took power. Afghan women have courageously and tirelessly fought for their rights for decades, despite conflict, deeply-rooted discrimination, corruption and poverty — they are now under threat from a regime that has an extensive record of brutality and repression of women’s rights,' the organizations write.
The letter urges all Member States to:
- Immediately stop intimidation, attacks or reprisals against all HRDs, including WHRDs, peacebuilders and civil society leaders; and ensure accountability of perpetrators when such acts occur.
- Prevent threats and violence against WHRDs, women peacebuilders, civil society leaders and other advocates for gender equality, and elevate their role in promoting peace and human rights.
- Call on Secretary-General António Guterres to ensure that all UN staff understand and champion the important work of diverse women peacebuilders and WHRDs and provide all necessary protection and support to those at risk or who have faced reprisals. This includes ensuring that rapid, flexible and targeted resources for women civil society at risk are available, collaborating with civil society to conduct risk assessments and respond to reprisals, and establishing clear protocols for how UN entities are required to respond in individual cases.
- Urge Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris to use her leadership role on reprisals to elevate the issue of attacks against diverse WHRDs, peacebuilders and civil society leaders by regularly issuing public statements and briefing the Security Council and the Informal Expert Group on Women Peace and Security, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to raise awareness about broader trends as well as, where appropriate, the status of specific cases,; and to ensure that her office leads coordination with other relevant UN entities to avert harm, provide support and follow up on individual cases.
- Ensure that all peace operations are fully resourced and empowered, including through strengthened partnerships with civil society, to monitor, report on and provide practical, gender-responsive support to all HRDs and peacebuilders at risk, including individuals at risk of reprisal related to engagement with the UN system.
- Ensure women civil society representatives continue to regularly brief the Security Council during all relevant discussions, including country-specific meetings in line with Resolution 2242 (2015); that they are selected and supported by their peers in non-governmental organizations; and that their recommendations are acted upon by Security Council members.
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