{"id":16195,"date":"2019-03-13T15:18:01","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T15:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conectas.org\/?post_type=noticia&p=16195"},"modified":"2021-04-05T18:03:24","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T18:03:24","slug":"organisations-speak-up-in-protest-about-damares-speech-at-the-un-human-rights-council","status":"publish","type":"noticia","link":"https:\/\/conectas.org\/en\/noticias\/organisations-speak-up-in-protest-about-damares-speech-at-the-un-human-rights-council\/","title":"Organisations speak up in protest about Damares\u2019 speech at the UN Human Rights Council","content":"

Damares Alves, Minister of the recently created Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights gave her first international speech and was the target of criticism by a number of feminist collectives and organisations that defend human rights.<\/span><\/p>\n

In her speech at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva (Switzerland), Damares stressed that she will defend \u201clife from conception\u201d, reinforcing the criminalisation of abortion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Subsequent to her speech, Conectas and another 28 organisations from all over Brazil, signed a public note repudiating the minister\u2019s stance. In a symbolic gesture, the document was published on Friday 8 March,\u00a0<\/span>International Day of the Women\u2019s Movement<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The manifesto says that the speech goes against that which is set out in the 1988 Constitution that does not make provision for the right to life from conception.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, it highlights that the minister fails to take into consideration the Brazilian reality where there is a high rate of illegal abortions. Neither does she take into account global agreements that recommend safe abortion, signed by Brazil.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the document also criticises the stance and legislative suggestions of the Bolsonaro government that directly affect the lives of women and other minority groups, such as easing gun control.<\/span><\/p>\n