Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences - Addendum - Communications to and from Governments (Delivered at the 14th Session of the Human Rights Council)

This addendum to the Special Rapporteur's annual report contains summaries of communications between governments of various countries on individual cases and general situations of concern to her mandate, addressing a wide array of issues that reflect a pattern of inequality and discrimination related to violence against women, its causes and consequences. The report notes that in a substantial number of cases, violations were allegedly committed by state agents in contravention of Article 4(b) of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. It also notes that States have a duty to take positive action and exercise due diligence to prevent and protect women from violence, to prosecute and appropriately sanction perpetrators of violence, and to ensure that victims of violence receive compensation. The Special Rapporteur observes an ongoing trend to subject women's rights defenders to violence, including arbitrary detention and threats of violence, with many of the threats perpetrated by state agents. She notes that by committing to the CEDAW, member States have committed to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of their respective country and to ensure them the right to participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country (Article 7 of the Convention).