UNHRC Searches for Solutions for Rape
On a gray November morning, the members of the UNHRC met to discuss a very controversial topic: rape culture and legislation. The sponsors of Resolution 1.1, the delegations of Argentina, Luxembourg, and Peru, presented their own solution to the issue of rape culture. In the comprehensive resolution, the delegates proposed a “UN designed protocol following rape” that includes “Post-exposure prophylaxis…a rape kit…emotional counseling…testing for STIs...[and] emergency contraceptives”. They also suggested media campaigns, hotlines, legal aid, safe centers, education, and the treatment of rape victims with discretion.
Despite the resolution’s comprehensiveness, many delegates had questions and concerns for the sponsors. The delegate from Canada suggested changing the pronoun “women” to “people” to include a larger variety of rape victims, to which the delegation of Argentina, a sponsor, replied that “In most cases…women are the ones who receive abuse”, rejecting the suggestion. The delegate from the United States asked the sponsors why the resolution included no “repercussions for rape”. The delegation of Luxembourg responded that such a measure would “threaten the effectiveness of the resolution” as a “blanket punishment for rape” might seem “culturally blind” and “difficult to enforce”.
The delegation of Tunisia, who had submitted Working Paper 1.2 in contrast to Resolution 1.1, asked the sponsors whether it would be better to clarify the phrase “significant members of society” as instruments in education against rape culture to specify which institutions would be taking part in the education process. The delegation of Argentina expressed a desire to keep the phrasing general and rejected the change. But when the delegate from India suggested changing the word “significant” to “influential” in the spirit of viewing all humans as equal, the sponsors accepted the change. The Tunisian delegate also announced that she would ideally like to pass one resolution by merging Resolution 1.1 with some of the clauses in Working Paper 1.2.
Rape is certainly a provocative and divisive problem, and not one that can be solved by any simple measures. The ideas and thoughts put forward in the UNHRC room today are certainly a great start to solving one of most serious and most challenging problems of human society.
On a gray November morning, the members of the UNHRC met to discuss a very controversial topic: rape culture and legislation. The sponsors of Resolution 1.1, the delegations of Argentina, Luxembourg, and Peru, presented their own solution to the issue of rape culture. In the comprehensive resolution, the delegates proposed a “UN designed protocol following rape” that includes “Post-exposure prophylaxis…a rape kit…emotional counseling…testing for STIs...[and] emergency contraceptives”. They also suggested media campaigns, hotlines, legal aid, safe centers, education, and the treatment of rape victims with discretion.
Despite the resolution’s comprehensiveness, many delegates had questions and concerns for the sponsors. The delegate from Canada suggested changing the pronoun “women” to “people” to include a larger variety of rape victims, to which the delegation of Argentina, a sponsor, replied that “In most cases…women are the ones who receive abuse”, rejecting the suggestion. The delegate from the United States asked the sponsors why the resolution included no “repercussions for rape”. The delegation of Luxembourg responded that such a measure would “threaten the effectiveness of the resolution” as a “blanket punishment for rape” might seem “culturally blind” and “difficult to enforce”.
The delegation of Tunisia, who had submitted Working Paper 1.2 in contrast to Resolution 1.1, asked the sponsors whether it would be better to clarify the phrase “significant members of society” as instruments in education against rape culture to specify which institutions would be taking part in the education process. The delegation of Argentina expressed a desire to keep the phrasing general and rejected the change. But when the delegate from India suggested changing the word “significant” to “influential” in the spirit of viewing all humans as equal, the sponsors accepted the change. The Tunisian delegate also announced that she would ideally like to pass one resolution by merging Resolution 1.1 with some of the clauses in Working Paper 1.2.
Rape is certainly a provocative and divisive problem, and not one that can be solved by any simple measures. The ideas and thoughts put forward in the UNHRC room today are certainly a great start to solving one of most serious and most challenging problems of human society.