In Russia the adverse impact of political and economic transition had
disproportionately affected women, Yakin Erturk, Special Rapporteur on violence
against women told the new enhanced UN Human Rights Council at its second
session in Geneva.
In Iran, although the principle of equality was enshrined in the
Constitution, gender inequality was a salient feature of Iranian society, while
high levels of violence against women in Mexico were both a consequence and a
symptom of widespread gender discrimination and inequality, she said.
The situation for women in Afghanistan remained dramatic, and severe violence
against them was all pervasive while throughout Darfur, a surge in sexual
violence continued, she added.
Ms. Erturk conducted missions to Russia, Iran, Mexico, and Afghanistan.
Special Rapporteurs are unpaid and serve in an independent personal capacity.
Russian representative Valery Loshchinin said the report was politicized and
not impartial – it gave the impression that there was a State policy of violence
against women, which was occurring against a background of prevailing insecurity
at large. Those familiar with the contemporary reality in Russia and the role of
women in society could not accept these affirmations, he added.
Iranian representative Ali Reza Moayeri said women in his country had
achieved much over the last couple of decades, by way of strength, optimism and
courage and what challenges lay ahead to overcome and go forward and wiping out
all positive steps by allegations such as continuing reports of violations of
women’s human rights and restriction on political activities downgraded the
report to a political statement.
The representative of Mexico, Pablo Macedo, said his country had undertaken
many efforts for the promotion and protection of women’s rights and after
assessing the Rapporteur’s recommendations, the Government would take further
measures to improve the situation of women and reduce the rate of violence.
Afghan representative Assad Omer said his country was in reconstruction after
more than 20 years of war, and five years in the dark and that the percentage of
school attendance for young girls kept on growing since the ouster of the
Taliban regime in 2001. __________________________________________________________________
20 September 2006
– A United Nations expert on violence against women today highlighted
the problems faced by women in Russia, Iran, Mexico, Afghanistan and Sudan’s
Darfur region.
