Webcast: Human rights for women in detention: Panel discussion at UN Human Rights Council

This is a recording of a side-event Human Rights of Women in Detention that PRI co-organised, with DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture at the 26th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 17 June 2014.

The event was co-sponsored by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Permanent Missions of Denmark and Chile. On the occasion of the Annual Day of Discussion on Women’s Rights, this panel discussion brought together key actors at the international level to address human rights of women and girls who are suspects, defendants and prisoners – a group frequently discriminated against and overlooked.  It drew on the 2010 Bangkok Rules which provide guidance on addressing the specific needs of this group. Moderated by Andrea Huber, PRI’s Policy Director, the panel and topics covered are:

• Introductory remarks H.E. Carsten Staur, Ambassador, Permanent Representation of Denmark to the UN, Geneva (from 1 min, 34 secs)

• Gender-specific offences Frances Raday, Chair of the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and practice (from 7 min, 30 secs) – See statement ‘Adultery should not be criminal offence at all’ and download background paper

• Pathways to, conditions and consequences of incarceration for women Federica Donati, OHCHR on behalf of Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on violence against women (from 22 min) – See report by Special Rapporteur

• The reality for women prisoners Mari Amos, Member of Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) (from 34 min, 47 secs) 

• Analysis of UN jurisprudence against the international standards Therese Maria Rytter, Director of Legal and Advocacy Department, DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture (from 50 min, 45 secs) – See DIGNITY’s report

• Women, criminal justice and the post-2015 agenda Norul Rashid, Representative of UN Women (from 1hr, 8 min)

• Discussion – from 1hr, 25 mins