10 Sexual Rights: An IPPF Declaration
Preamble IPPF is committed to fulfilling its goals within a human rights approach that embodies the principles of the universality, interrelatedness, interdependence and indivisibility of all human rights. IPPF recognizes and believes that sexual rights are a component of human rights, which are an evolving set of entitlements related to sexuality that contribute to the freedom, equality and dignity of all people.
Sexual Rights: an IPPF Declaration is grounded in core international human rights treaties and other instruments, authoritative interpretations of these international standards and additional entitlements related to human sexuality that are implicit in them.1 It draws on the documents emanating from the 1993 UN World Conference on Human Rights; the 1994 UN International Conference on Population and Development; the 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on Women; the UN Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. It is also informed by the findings and recommendations of several UN treaty bodies and UN Special Rapporteurs, particularly the 2004 report to the Commission on Human Rights of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health. The Declaration complements the IPPF Charter on Sexual and Reproductive Rights. It aims to explicitly identify sexual rights and support an inclusive vision of sexuality. This vision seeks to respect, protect and advance the rights of all persons to sexual autonomy and to promote sexual health and rights within a framework of non-discrimination. IPPF believes that health is a fundamental human right indispensable for the exercise of all human rights.2 It also believes that sexual and reproductive health are integral elements of the rights of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.3 Sexual health cannot be obtained or maintained without sexual rights, but sexual rights encompass more than entitlements related to health. Sexual rights refer to specific norms that emerge when existing human rights are applied to sexuality. These rights include freedom, equality, privacy, autonomy, integrity and dignity of all people; principles recognized in many international instruments that are particularly relevant to sexuality. Sexual rights offer an approach that includes but goes beyond protection of particular identities. Sexual rights guarantee that everyone has access to the conditions that allow fulfilment and expression of their sexualities free from any coercion, discrimination or violence and within a context respectful of dignity.