Nyhedsbrev - UN-CCPR reprimands Portugal for Intersex Genital Mutilation

S t o p I G M . o r g
Human Rights For Hermaphrodites Too!
presse@zwischengeschlecht.info
+41 (0)76 398 06 50
A version with sources and the full Concluding Observations is available here:
https://stopigm.org/un-ccpr-reprimands-portugal-for-intersex-genital-mutilation/
A year ago, the 128th Session of the Human Rights Committee (HRCttee)
as the Treaty body monitoring the implementation of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) was suspended two weeks
in due to COVID-19, making Portugal the last State Party to be examined
for Intersex Genital Mutilation in Geneva.
Based on a thematic intersex NGO report and a briefing to Committee
members by StopIGM.org, CCPR specifically questioned Portugal on
“genital mutilation […] practiced on intersex children” and the lack of
access to justice in such cases. However, Portugal non-answered on
“female genital mutilation” and “trans and intersex health” instead.
As a result, CCPR has now reprimanded Portugal for IGM practices,
specifically obliging Portugal to “strengthen the measures to end the
performance of irreversible medical acts, especially surgical
operations, on intersex children” and considering the practice as cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment falling under the absolute prohibition of
torture (art. 7 CCPR).
StopIGM.org welcomes this clear verdict, marking
• the 50th UN reprimand condemning IGM as a serious violation
of non-derogable human rights
• already the 2nd reprimand for IGM to Portugal,
• the 23rd UN reprimand for IGM to an EU27 member state,
• the 5th reprimand for IGM by CCPR.
Portugal is another self-declared “intersex human rights champion” that,
after in 2018 having adopted legislation aimed at protecting intersex
children from IGM practices, claims to have abolished the practice
altogether, echoing similar legislation and claims from Malta. However, in
both states IGM persists with impunity, and accordingly in 2019 both
Malta and Portugal have been reprimanded by the UN Committee on the
Folketingets Tværpolitiske netværk for seksuel og reproduktiv sundhed og rettigheder 2020-21
SRSR Alm.del - Bilag 7
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Rights of the Child (CRC) condemning IGM as a “harmful practice” (just
like FGM).
On the blog: The full CCPR Concluding Observations on intersex and IGM,
the NGO report that prompted CCPR's investigation, and videos and
transcripts of Portugal’s denials and excuses during the 128th CCPR
Session.
https://stopigm.org/un-ccpr-reprimands-portugal-for-intersex-genital-
mutilation/
StopIGM.org demands the prohibition under criminal law of forced
genital surgeries on children and adolescents with variations of
reproductive anatomy and "Human Rights for Hermaphrodites too!"
Persons concerned shall later decide for themselves, if they want
surgeries or not, and if yes, which ones. The statute of limitation must
be adapted in such a way that adult IGM survivors can sue.
Kind regards
Daniela "Nella" Truffer, Markus Bauer
Founding members human rights NGO StopIGM.org /
Zwischengeschlecht.org
Mobile +41 (0) 76 398 06 50
Mobile +41 (0) 78 829 12 60
presse@zwischengeschlecht.info
https://StopIGM.org
https://intersex.shadowreport.org