CEDAW Committee At It Again

By Samantha Singson | January 5, 2011

Prior to the next round of CEDAW sessions, the committee is again agitating on controversial issues that have no basis in the treaty.

In the list of questions sent around to countries before the face-to-face meetings in Geneva in January, the committee is questioning policies relating to abortion, constitutional references to lesbian and transgendered person and protection for same-sex unions.

The committee questioned Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Belarus and Kenya on their abortion laws. Committee members were most interested in questioning states on plans to decriminalize the procedure.

South Africa, while not questioned on abortion, was asked by the committee to account for its protection of same-sex couples.

Israel was questioned on its constitutional reform process where committee members asked if there is specific protection for “lesbian, bisexual and transsexual persons” in the draft constitution.

The next CEDAW session will take place in Geneva from January 17 – February 4.

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