Access to medical products and reproductive rights
Side Event to the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council
23 June 2025
12:30 to 13:30
Room XXVII, Palais de Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
The pursuit of health equity, encompassing fair and just opportunities for all to achieve their full health potential, remains a paramount global challenge. The right to health is a fundamental part of our human rights and of our understanding of a life in dignity. This event will explore the indivisible links between equitable access to medical products, the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and the strengthening of international cooperation as pillars for upholding this fundamental right for everyone, everywhere. The interconnectedness of these themes is central; they are not disparate issues but integral components of a holistic approach necessary to realise comprehensive health equity.
The side event is anticipated to significantly enhance participants’ understanding of the complex, intersecting challenges and opportunities in upholding health equity, particularly through improved access to medical products and the full realization of SRHR. The discussions aim to identify potential policy pathways, innovative approaches, and actionable strategies for key stakeholders to address existing inequities. Furthermore, a crucial outcome will be a reinforced commitment to multilateralism and collaborative action as essential tools for tackling global health challenges and advancing the right to health, with the dialogue contributing valuable insights to ongoing policy debates in relevant international fora, especially concerning the implementation of recent global agreements and agendas, while also strengthening networks and partnerships dedicated to health equity and human rights.
Human Rights Council 58: Neurotechnology, Ethical Frontiers and Human Rights
By Daniel Uribe
The UN Human Rights Council’s 58th session examined the impact of neurotechnology on human rights, with a particular focus on privacy. The Special Rapporteur guided discussions on the report on neurotechnology, which detailed risks to privacy, autonomy, and mental integrity, and proposed principles such as human dignity, informed consent, stringent security measures, rights-by-design, and precautionary approaches to the development of this technology. This SouthViews considers the Member States’ discussion during the presentation of this report, taking into account the profound ethical challenges, the need for safeguards, equitable access (especially for developing nations), and international cooperation, while voicing concerns about potential misuse. The relevance of UNESCO’s ongoing work on the ethics of neurotechnology is also considered. The session underscored the pressing need for a proactive, holistic, and ethically grounded governance framework for neurotechnology, emphasizing core human rights principles and international collaboration to ensure the responsible development and use of this technology.
Inputs to Inform the Thematic Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change to the Human Rights Council 59th session
South Centre
February 2025
The South Centre calls for a Just Transition away from fossil fuels, centering the rights of marginalized communities & the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Statement by the South Centre at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council on “Realizing the right to development: The case for a United Nations framework convention on international tax cooperation”
September 2024
At the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, South Centre outlined the possible content of protocols to the United Nations Tax Convention for taxing Illicit Financial Flows & Digital Services.
Inputs for the analytical study on the impact of loss and damage from the adverse effects of climate change on the full enjoyment of human rights, pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 53/6 on human rights and climate change
31 January 2024
The adverse impacts of climate related loss & damage on human rights in the Global South require concrete actions. Our submission shows that a just and fair green transition requires protecting human rights while prioritizing the needs of developing countries, especially by providing climate finance, access to green tech and integrating human rights in climate actions.
See the inputs provided by South Centre to an upcoming study by the UN Secretary-General. The study will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2024.
Statement of the South Centre at the Sixth Intersessional Meeting of the Human Rights Council on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda
18 January 2024
Leveraging human rights in the fight against illicit financial flows and corruption through greater international tax cooperation and fiscal transparency
Submission to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights for its report on Investors, Environmental, Social and Governance and Human Rights
South Centre
October 2023
The South Centre has contributed to an upcoming report by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on Investors, Environmental, Social and Governance and Human Rights which will be presented to the Human Rights Council at its 56th Session in 2024. Greater uptake in ESG reporting must be accompanied by mandatory corporate due diligence, accountability & remedies.
The South Centre appreciates the presentation of the thematic reports, and the reports of the Working Groups on the Right to Development and Private Military and Security Companies.
The South Centre will continue supporting developing countries for the achievement of these objectives and the provision of innovative solutions for tackling the unique challenges faced by developing and least developed countries.
Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development
54th regular session of the Human Rights Council
South Centre
20 September 2023
The South Centre, as an intergovernmental organization of developing countries, welcomes the report prepared by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development on his vision for reinvigorating the right to development.
We thank the Special Rapporteur once again for considering the research undertaken and inputs provided by the South Centre in his report, and would like to reiterate our strong support for his important work and mandate.
Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development
54th regular session of the Human Rights Council
South Centre
20 September 2023
The South Centre, as an intergovernmental organization of developing countries, welcomes the annual report presented by the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development.
We would like to express support to the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, highlighting that international cooperation and solidarity among States are indispensable means to achieve the objectives set out in the Declaration of the Right to Development.
