Madam Vice-President,
Sweden aligns herself with the statement made by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union.
Sweden would like to thank the members of the panel for their presentations and contributions on how to promote equality before the law and how to advance gender equality and women’s enjoyment of human rights. Sweden believes that it is important for the Council to seize the occasion to address women's full enjoyment of human rights and welcomes the opportunity to present some comments and questions.
The implementation of human rights of women are of utmost importance when it comes to the enjoyment of human rights for all. Non-discrimination and equality before the law are fundamental principles hereof. But even in cases when equality is prescribed by law, sometimes laws are interpreted or applied in ways that disfavours women. Equality before the law must be ensured both de jure and de facto.
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women rests on the fundamental principle of equality between women and men before the law. However, de jure and de facto discrimination of women remains a fact in many places around the globe. Sweden would therefore welcome that the CEDAW committee drafts a General Recommendation on the meaning and implications of equality before the law, in particular with regard to article 15 of the Convention.
Sweden would also like to see strengthened coordination between the CEDAW committee and other actors working with equality between women and men before the law within the UN system.
The focus of this day has been equality before the law and we would like to ask What specific role can the Human Rights Council play to further advance the issues at stake?
Thank you, Madam Vice-President.