Journal Article

When Independence Meets Accountability

WERE, NERIMA AKINYI, FRIED, SUSANA T., AGOSTI, TANIA, MILLER, ALICE M., BALDWIN, ANDREA, GRANT, MARIAH, GHER, JAIME M., ROSEMAN, MINDY JANE

2025

Overview

This viewpoint discusses the importance of upholding non-retrogression in the human rights system, particularly in relation to gender-based violence and accountability norms. The authors, a collective of academics and advocates, highlight the need for comprehensive standards that recognize new understandings of harm and extend state obligations to prevent abuses by nonstate actors. They argue that conflicting expert statements on gender and gender-based violence can lead to normative retrogressions, threatening decades of progress in gender analysis. The authors critique the current practices of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, pointing out normatively retrogressive efforts that undermine existing protections. They emphasize the principles of non-retrogression and accountability as essential for the prevention of gender-based violence and the protection of health rights. The authors call for greater transparency, ethical practices, and constructive civil society critiques to guide and safeguard professional practices by experts and ensure the independence of the human rights system., particularly in relation to gender-based violence. The authors, highlight the need for comprehensive standards that recognize new understandings of harm and extend state obligations to prevent abuses by nonstate actors. They argue that accountability norms for gender-based violence are essential for advancing state accountability and protecting the right to health. The authors critique UN expert practices that contribute to normative retrogressions and call for constructive civil society critiques to guide and safeguard professional practices. They specifically focus on the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, highlighting normatively retrogressive efforts that threaten fragile achievements in gender equality. The authors emphasize the principles of non-retrogression and accountability in human rights law, stressing the importance of maintaining existing standards while expanding human rights protections. They propose that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights take a more strategic and proactive approach to ensuring transparency and ethical practices within the UN human rights system.

• Publisher: President and Fellows of Harvard College,Harvard School of Public Health,Harvard University Press & François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights,Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights
• Subject: Academic staff / Accountability / Civil society / Ethics / Females / Gender differences / Gender inequality / Gender relations / Gender-based violence / Girls / Human rights / Independence / Law / Norms / Obligations / Professional practice / Transparency / VIEWPOINT / Violence against women / Writers