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Criminalisation of sexual and reproductive health 2011, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Laws restricting information about sexual and reproductive health and which censor discussions of homosexuality in the classroom fuel stigma and discrimination of vulnerable minorities. For example, laws and policies that promote abstinence-only education reduce sexual education to images and stereotypes of heteronormativity, given their focus on procreation; some of these programmes even contain explicitly discriminatory content on gender and sexual orientation. In certain instances, teachers have been suspended or threatened with lawsuits for engaging in discussions on "inappropriate" sexual matters with their students when discussing sexual and reproductive health issues in the classroom. In other cases, pursuant to abstinence-only and anti-obscenity policies, school districts, courts and legislators have prohibited civil society organizations from meeting in public schools. Such laws and policies perpetuate false and negative stereotypes concerning sexuality, alienate students of different sexual orientations and prevent students from making fully informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Migrant worker’s right to health 2013, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- The possibility of arrest, detention and deportation due to immigration status further discourages access to health facilities, goods and services, particularly for transgender sex workers who may face severe discrimination and abuse in their home country. Health needs of migrant sex workers are poorly understood in many countries, resulting in policies that fail to address their needs and vitiate the right to health. For example, possession of a condom as evidence of sex work-related criminality actively deters migrant sex workers from carrying condoms, which results in risky sexual behaviour and exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Report of the SR on the right to health and Agenda 2030 2016, para. 94
- Paragraph text
- To date, the approach to violence reduction has been fragmented, compartmentalizing different forms of violence. Importantly, many forms of violence continue to be tolerated within societies and even supported by States. For example, violence against women and children remains accepted in many societies as a cultural norm. The institutional care of young children, a clear act of violence against children, remains widespread in many countries. Around the world, many groups in vulnerable situations, including women, persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, experience numerous forms of violence. Each example is also a violation of various human rights protected under international law, including the right to health.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- LGBTQI+
- Persons on the move
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 6
- Paragraph text
- Criminal laws concerning consensual same-sex conduct, sexual orientation and gender identity often infringe on various human rights, including the right to health. These laws are generally inherently discriminatory and, as such, breach the requirements of a right-to-health approach, which requires equality in access for all people. The health-related impact of discrimination based on sexual conduct and orientation is far-reaching, and prevents affected individuals from gaining access to other economic, social and cultural rights. In turn, the infringement of other human rights impacts on the realization of the right to health, such as by impeding access to employment or housing.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- Various criminal laws exist worldwide that make it an offence for individuals to engage in same-sex conduct, or penalize individuals for their sexual orientation or gender identity. For example, consensual same-sex conduct is a criminal offence in about 80 countries. Other laws also indirectly prohibit or suppress same-sex conduct, such as anti-debauchery statutes and prohibitions on sex work. Many States also regulate extra-marital sexual conduct through criminal or financial sanctions, which affects individuals who identify as heterosexual but intermittently engage in same-sex conduct. These laws also have a significant impact on individuals engaging in sexual conduct with members of the opposite sex outside of marriage, particularly women, although this is outside the scope of this report.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- The European Court of Human Rights has held that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is in violation of human rights. In 1981, in Dudgeon v. United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights determined that the criminalization of private homosexual acts constituted an unjustified interference with the right to privacy enshrined within article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The United Nations Human Rights Committee in Toonen v. Australia subsequently ruled that "sex" discrimination includes discrimination based upon sexual orientation, noting that criminalization was not a reasonable measure to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS. In S.L. v. Austria, the European Court of Human Rights also held that differences in the treatment of heterosexual and homosexual populations based on age of consent had no objective and reasonable justification, and was therefore discriminatory.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- A number of States now prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, following judicial decisions or the introduction of legislation concerning this issue. In the landmark 1998 case National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and another v. Minister of Justice and others, the South African Constitutional Court struck down three separate sodomy laws, noting the right of all people to dignity and equality in concluding that discrimination based on sexual orientation was prohibited under the South African Constitution. The Supreme Court of the United States declared Texan sodomy laws unconstitutional in the case of Lawrence v. Texas, on the basis that it infringed on the liberty protected under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution through the criminalization of intimate, consensual sexual conduct.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- In the matter of Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi and Others, the High Court of Delhi cited the case of Toonen and considered the reasoning of the South African Constitutional Court in finding section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional. This section of the code criminalized, "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal" - wording from colonial rule that is still in use in more than half of the jurisdictions criminalizing sodomy worldwide. The Naz Foundation submitted that by criminalizing private, consensual same-sex conduct, section 377 perpetuated negative and discriminatory beliefs towards same-sex conduct, driving activities underground and crippling HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- In February 2010, Fiji passed a law decriminalizing consensual same-sex conduct, through the National Crimes Decree. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China also overturned a long-standing statute banning sodomy in 2005, and since 2007, consensual same-sex acts have also been legal in Nepal.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- Despite these recent developments in decriminalization, bringing many States into conformity with international human rights obligations, a significant number of countries maintain criminal penalties for consensual same-sex conduct. Some States have taken steps to broaden the application of existing laws, or to impose harsher penalties for same-sex conduct. Section 365A of the penal code of Sri Lanka formerly prohibited male homosexual acts, but was subsequently amended to be "gender-neutral", resulting in the criminalization of female same-sex conduct. The Parliament of Uganda introduced a bill in October 2009 that would allow for the death penalty as punishment for the violation of certain provisions of the anti-sodomy statute. Uganda, praised by HIV/AIDS activists for its treatment programme and policies, will put its campaign to eliminate HIV in great danger should this bill pass.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 16
- Paragraph text
- Conversely, an article proposed for inclusion in the penal code of Rwanda that would have carried penalties ranging from 5 to 10 years' imprisonment for any person who "practices, encourages or sensitizes people of the same sex, to sexual relation or any sexual practice" was recently rejected. The Minister of Justice of Rwanda, Tharcisse Karugarama, stated that "… sexual orientation is a private matter and each individual has his or her own orientation - this is not a State matter at all".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur believes that criminalization has adverse consequences on the enjoyment of the right to health of those who engage in consensual same-sex conduct, through the creation of the societal perception that they are "abnormal" and criminals. This has a severe deleterious impact on their self-regard, with significant, and sometimes tragic, consequences on their health-seeking behaviour and mental health. Rates of suicide attempts amongst youth who engage in consensual same-sex conduct have been variously reported as between three and seven times higher than for youth who identify as heterosexual; the rates are similar for adults.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Youth
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- In jurisdictions in which their sexual conduct is criminalized, affected individuals are much more likely to be unable to gain access to effective health services, and preventive health measures that should be tailored to these communities are suppressed. The fear of judgement and punishment can deter those engaging in consensual same-sex conduct from seeking out and gaining access to health services. This is often a direct result of the attitudes of health-care professionals who are not trained to meet the needs of same-sex practising clients - not only in terms of sexual health, but also with regard to health care more generally. Often, health professionals may refuse to treat homosexual patients altogether, or respond with hostility when compelled to do so. Where patients may be guilty of a criminal offence, by engaging in consensual same-sex conduct, this has the potential to jeopardize the obligations of confidentiality that arise during the course of the doctor-patient relationship, as health professionals may be required by law to divulge details of patient interaction.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- These problems are compounded for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Due to historical circumstances - most significantly, the association of AIDS with the gay community - the enjoyment of the right to health is disproportionately impacted as it pertains to HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment. For instance, in the Asia-Pacific region, almost 90 per cent of homosexual men have no access to HIV prevention or care. While this is due to a range of circumstances, a general atmosphere of fear has been the predominant factor in preventing HIV-positive individuals from accessing health services and treatment. This atmosphere of fear also impacts adversely on the wider community. In countries where homosexuality is criminalized, the negative association of HIV/AIDS with homosexuality can result in individuals who do not engage in consensual same-sex conduct avoiding testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS, for fear of being subject to criminal sanctions, violence or discrimination.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- Sanctioned punishment by States reinforces existing prejudices, and legitimizes community violence and police brutality directed at affected individuals. Seven States, or parts thereof, currently retain the death penalty as a possible punishment for sodomy. The Special Rapporteur believes that the imposition of the death penalty for consensual same-sex conduct is not only unconscionable, but further represents arbitrary deprivation of life, constituting an infringement of the right to life recognized in article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- Many reports indicate instances of violence directed at individuals based on same-sex conduct and gender identity. Violence can inhibit individuals from seeking access to health services out of fear of reprisals and secondary victimization resulting from identification as a victim of such an attack.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Criminalization may not be the sole reason behind stigma, but it certainly perpetuates it, through the reinforcement of existing prejudices and stereotypes. Same-sex conduct was long considered a psychiatric disorder; until recently, the world's major professional psychological classification system retained homosexuality as a psychological disorder, which speaks to how deeply this stigma was embedded.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- Stigmatization prevents legislative and policymaking institutions from adequately addressing health-related matters in communities that are especially vulnerable to the infringement of the enjoyment of the right to health. Where same-sex conduct is illegal, sexual orientation may be treated as a problem that needs to be corrected, ignored or used to legitimize violence directed towards these individuals. Attempts to "cure" those who engage in same-sex conduct are not only inappropriate, but have the potential to cause significant psychological distress and increase stigmatization of these vulnerable groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- As with all human rights, States are required to take steps to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health. The criminalization of private, consensual same-sex conduct creates an environment that is not conducive to affected individuals achieving full realization of their right to health. Health services must be accessible for all, without discrimination, especially for the most vulnerable or marginalized sections of the population. The repeal of laws criminalizing consensual same-sex conduct between adults helps to ensure compliance with this State obligation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- Criminalization is not only a breach of a State's duty to prevent discrimination; it also creates an atmosphere wherein affected individuals are significantly disempowered and cannot achieve full realization of their human rights. For instance, States are bound to take steps to establish prevention and education programmes for behaviour-related health concerns such as HIV/AIDS. Decriminalization facilitates the achievement of this obligation because a social atmosphere wherein adult consensual same-sex conduct is accepted constitutes an essential part of structural prevention of HIV/AIDS. A legal framework promoting an enabling environment has been noted as one of the most important prerequisites to achieve this goal, along with combating both discrimination and structural violence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- A right-to-health approach requires that States decriminalize same-sex consensual conduct, as well as repeal laws that discriminate in respect of sexual orientation and gender identity, in order to meet core obligations of the right to health and create an environment enabling full enjoyment of the right.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) defines sex workers as "female, male and transgender adults and young people who receive money or goods in exchange for sexual services, either regularly or occasionally, and who may or may not consciously define those activities as income-generating". It is noted, however, that no single term adequately covers the range of transactions worldwide that involve sex work (the term "sex worker" is increasingly used within the sector, as it is considered less stigmatizing and a better descriptor of workers' experiences than the word "prostitute").
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Youth
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- Historically, sex work has been criminalized in two major ways. First, through the criminalization of the selling of sexual services, with the imposition of penalties upon sex workers themselves. Second, through the criminalization of various practices around sex work: these include, but are not limited to, keeping a brothel; recruiting for or arranging the prostitution of others; living off the proceeds of sex work; solicitation; and facilitating sex work through the provision of information or assistance. Although the former is not directly criminalized in many States worldwide, sex workers are nonetheless treated as criminals where activities around sex work are criminalized, or through the use of other pre-existing laws (not specific to sex work) to harass, intimidate or justify the use of force against sex workers. Examples include the use of vagrancy or public nuisance laws to detain or arrest street sex workers, or the use of laws prohibiting homosexual acts in relation to male and transgender sex workers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health and criminalization of same-sex conduct and sexual orientation, sex-work and HIV transmission 2010, para. 76a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur calls upon States:] To take immediate steps to decriminalize consensual same-sex conduct and to repeal discriminatory laws relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as to implement appropriate awareness-raising interventions on the rights of affected individuals;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Right to health of adolescents 2016, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- States should develop a core package of interventions for adolescents, including to sexual and reproductive health services, that are available free of charge. Services must be designed and delivered in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities, developmental needs and the best interests of adolescents. They must respect adolescents' right to privacy and confidentiality, address different cultural needs and expectations and comply with ethical standards. Services must be sensitive to gender and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex status, they must be non-judgemental regarding adolescents' personal characteristics, lifestyle choices or life circumstances and they must treat all adolescents with dignity and respect, consistent with their status as rights holders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Adolescents
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Right to health of adolescents 2016, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- Measures to address the right to health should be holistic and integrated, go beyond the provision of health services and be underpinned by cross-departmental commitment. States should take account of and respond to the particular challenges faced by different groups, such as younger and older adolescents, males, females and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Adolescents
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Right to health of adolescents 2016, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- Adolescent girls, adolescents with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex adolescents, adolescents living in institutions and adolescents from communities with a proliferation of unregulated weapons or experiencing armed conflict are among those particularly vulnerable to violence. The risks for girls include, for example, exposure to sexual violence and exploitation, forced and early marriage, honour killings and abusive practices often carried out in health-care settings, such as forced sterilization and forced abortion for girls with disabilities, and forced virginity testing.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Adolescents
- Girls
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Right to health of adolescents 2016, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- Lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth are at risk of "punitive" rape on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Adolescents suffer disproportionately from the effects of gun violence and significant numbers of adolescents face serious harm or death as a consequence of armed conflict.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Adolescents
- LGBTQI+
- Youth
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Right to health of adolescents 2016, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- Adolescence itself can be a basis for discrimination, with many adolescents treated as dangerous or hostile, incompetent to make decisions, incarcerated, exploited or exposed to violence as a direct consequence of their age. Health-care providers may perpetuate discrimination against adolescents when they deny them health services or contraceptive supplies or treat them poorly, which can make adolescents reluctant to seek the health-care they need. Adolescents belonging to marginalized groups or sectors, such as girls, racial or ethnic minorities, indigenous populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex adolescents, refugees and adolescents with disabilities, face a heightened risk of exclusion.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Adolescents
- Girls
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Right to health of adolescents 2016, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- The risk of experiencing mental ill-health is heightened by poverty and by adverse childhood events, including, for example, sexual and emotional abuse, bullying and parental loss. Adolescents in post-conflict or disaster settings or who are homeless and street-involved, orphaned, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex or involved with the juvenile justice system are also at greater risk. Adolescents in the juvenile justice system suffer substantially higher rates of mental health conditions than those in the general population, with an estimated 70 per cent having at least one diagnosable mental health condition.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Adolescents
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph