On September 12th, the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) organised a significant webinar titled Eliminating Harmful Practices against and Promoting Human Rights Protection of Intersex People. This event was part of the ERC’s National Laws and Policies Thematic Group and was held in collaboration with LSVD, the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Intersex Human Rights Australia.
The primary goal of this webinar was to bring together representatives from national ministries in ERC member countries responsible for legislation and policies related to intersex rights. It also included participation from intersex civil society, national human rights commissions, and multilateral organisations to offer valuable insights and expertise.
The webinar highlighted successful case studies from several countries that have taken steps to outlaw harmful, unnecessary, and non-consensual medical procedures on intersex people, particularly children and infants. The aim was to create a platform for government officials to learn from each other and explore best practices for protecting the bodily integrity and autonomy of intersex people.
The distinguished speakers included Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, Dr. (Ina-)Marie Blomeyer, Mauro Cabral Grinspan, Dr. Kári Hólmar Ragnarsson, Dr. Rosalind Croucher, Morgan Carpenter, and Crystal Hendricks as the moderator. The webinar also featured case studies and interventions from the United States, Spain, Malta, Greece, and Argentina.
Crystal Hendricks, as the moderator, stressed the webinar’s collaborative nature and its purpose as an open forum for cooperation on intersex rights. Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng emphasised the stigma and misinformation surrounding sex characteristics, particularly in the medical field, and called for trustful partnerships between policymakers and civil society to ensure the right to health.
Dr. Marie Blomeyer, representing the German government, highlighted the importance of outlawing harmful practices against intersex people and noted that human rights bodies have recognised these procedures as serious violations.
Mauro Cabral Grinspan shared examples of legal and policy reforms that have advanced intersex rights in various countries, highlighting the need for close consultation with intersex experts throughout the process.
Dr. Kári Hólmar Ragnarsson stressed the value of collaborating with intersex civil society in policy development and highlighted the importance of adopting a human rights-based approach.
Dr. Rosalind Croucher shared recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission, focussing on the need for medical interventions only in cases of urgent necessity and the criminalisation of procedures conducted outside of these recommendations.
The webinar also featured insights from representatives of ERC member states that have made progress in outlawing harmful medical procedures on intersex individuals. The United States, Spain, Malta, Greece, and Argentina shared their experiences and lessons learned in advancing intersex rights.
Morgan Carpenter, in his closing remarks, reiterated the importance of guaranteeing the autonomy and integrity of intersex people and called for legislative action based on recommendations from international human rights bodies and case studies from different regions.
The webinar was a significant step in promoting human rights and eliminating harmful practices against intersex people. Iranti stand in solidarity with the work of the Equal Rights Coalition and its partners, and remain dedicated to advancing the rights and freedoms of intersex people worldwide.