Statement on intersex by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

In his opening address to the 30th Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, talked specifically about intersex people:

Far too few of us are aware of the specific human rights violations faced by millions of intersex people. Because their bodies don't comply with typical definitions of male or female, intersex children and adults are frequently subjected to forced sterilization and other unnecessary and irreversible surgery, and suffer discrimination in schools, workplaces and other settings. We plan an expert meeting to identify steps that States and others can take to end these abuses.

We warmly welcome this statement. His comments reflect a more lengthy analysis in a fact sheet on intersex published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Two years on from the Senate committee report on "Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia", it is over time for Australian governments to act.

Thanks to the OHCHR for the infographic.

More information

• Read in full the opening statement to the 30th Human Rights Council, Monday 14 September 2015
• UN High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein opens intersex expert meeting, Wednesday 16 September 2015
• UN side event on intersex and human rights, Friday 18 September 2015
• UN Free & Equal campaign publishes intersex fact sheet, 4 September 2015