The National Human Rights Commission which includes the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT) expresses its deep concern regarding recent developments at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), where a draft resolution reportedly sought to reinterpret the meaning of the term “gender” within the framework of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
According to available information, the draft resolution advanced a claim that the Beijing Declaration defined “gender” exclusively as referring to “men and women.” This assertion is factually inaccurate. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including its Annex IV, does not provide such a definition, nor was such language agreed upon by Member States during its adoption in 1995.
The NHRC-CPT underscores that internationally agreed frameworks, particularly those adopted through consensus within the United Nations system, constitute a cornerstone of international human rights law and policy. Any attempt to reinterpret or selectively redefine such instruments outside established multilateral processes risks undermining their normative value, legal clarity, and universality.
The Commission further recalls that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains one of the most comprehensive global frameworks for advancing gender equality and the rights of women and girls. Its integrity must be preserved in line with the principles of good faith, legal certainty, and respect for multilateral consensus.
In this context, the NHRC-CPT expresses concern that such initiatives, if left unchallenged, could set a precedent for the reinterpretation of other internationally agreed standards, including those relating to human rights, international humanitarian law, and sustainable development. This would erode trust in multilateral mechanisms and weaken the collective capacity of States to uphold and advance universal rights.
The NHRC-CPT also notes that similar interpretative attempts have been raised in previous international negotiations and have not been endorsed by Member States. Efforts to introduce such language outside consensus-based processes raise serious questions regarding adherence to established diplomatic and legal norms.
Recommendations
In light of the above, the NHRC-CPT calls on:
1. Member States
To reaffirm their commitment to the integrity of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and to reject any attempts to misrepresent or reinterpret its agreed language.
2. United Nations Bodies and Mechanisms
To ensure that all resolutions and negotiated outcomes remain consistent with previously agreed frameworks and reflect the principle of consensus.
3. The International Community and Civil Society
To remain vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of multilateral processes and to continue advocating for the protection and advancement of women’s rights based on established international standards.
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