Tag results for 'human rights'
More countries to ban intersex genital mutilations in Europe
This article examines the growing European Union movement to ban intersex genital mutilation (IGM) – ‘gender normalising’ surgeries on minors with variations in sex characteristics. Affecting 1.7 per cent of the population, intersex individuals face widespread discrimination, with 21 per cent experiencing healthcare discrimination. The article emphasises that surgical interventions for social or aesthetic purposes without medical necessity constitute serious human rights violations, noting 49 per cent of affected Polish individuals did not consent to childhood procedures. Five EU countries have implemented legislative bans: Spain (2023), Greece (2022), Malta (2015), Germany (2021), and Portugal (2018), with Belgium developing similar legislation
Released on Aug 21, 2025
Marriage equality in Hong Kong: hitting a rainbow ceiling?
Hong Kong’s proposed Same-sex Partnership Bill offers limited legal rights to overseas same-sex couples, two years after a landmark judgment for LGBTQI+ rights. Unlike Thailand’s full legalisation, Hong Kong’s Same-sex Partnership Bill excludes many key rights, leaving local same-sex couples with minimal recognition and highlighting ongoing regional disparities in LGBTQI+ rights.
Released on Aug 21, 2025
Thailand’s Marriage Equality Act: what comes next?
On 23 January 2025, Thailand enacted the Marriage Equality Act, granting same-sex couples the legal right to marry and positioning itself as a leader in LGBTQI+ rights in Southeast Asia. While this milestone represents significant progress, gaps remain in adoption rights, immigration laws, healthcare protection, and gender recognition for transgender individuals. Ensuring full equality requires further legislative reforms to address these issues. Thailand’s achievement serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that the fight for comprehensive rights continues.
Released on Apr 22, 2025
Intersex rights emerging across Europe
This article highlights the challenges faced by the intersex community and discusses the increasing recognition of intersex rights across Europe. It focuses on recent legal developments in Greece and France, data inquiry pursued by the Polish ombudsman office, the soft measures adopted by the Council of Europe and the European Parliament and the recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The conclusion emphasises the underrepresentation of intersex rights and calls for broader recognition in the international human rights community.
Released on Feb 8, 2024
New global norms on responsible AI beyond the EU: the G7 Hiroshima Process international guiding principles for developing advanced AI systems and its application in Japan
Through the rapid development of advanced AI systems, such as generative AI, however, the need for ensuring responsible AI has increased. In October 2023, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), chaired by Japan, agreed on the Hiroshima AI Process Comprehensive Policy Framework. The framework includes the adoption of the International Guiding Principles on AI and the International Code of Conduct for AI developers, based on the OECD’s report Towards a G7 Common Understanding on Generative AI.
Released on Jan 11, 2024