The United Kingdom has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to fully support a draft resolution aimed at preventing and redressing child, early and forced marriage, warning against amendments that could weaken its impact. Speaking at the Council's 62nd session, UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders affirmed Britain's commitment to tackling what it describes as a harmful practice and a form of gender-based violence.
Ambassador Sanders expressed the UK's appreciation for the core group, particularly Switzerland, for leading the development of the resolution. She highlighted the open and transparent process undertaken to incorporate a wide range of views, resulting in a text that the UK believes is strong and impact-focused. The resolution seeks to implement guidelines previously requested by the UK and other nations from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
A key concern for the UK is the tabling of several amendments that challenge established human rights language. Ambassador Sanders specifically cited attempts to redefine or replace terms related to comprehensive sexuality education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, bodily autonomy, and violence. She stressed that these concepts are firmly rooted in existing international commitments and that any alteration risks undermining the resolution's core objectives and weakening protections for women and girls globally.
The UK has officially co-sponsored the draft resolution, demonstrating its strong backing for the initiative. Ambassador Sanders called upon all member states of the Council to join the UK in supporting the resolution without reservation and to reject the proposed amendments. The British government maintains that addressing child, early and forced marriage requires tackling root causes such as discriminatory social norms, gender inequality, and violence against women and girls, with education and empowerment being central pillars.
This stance aligns with the UK's broader foreign policy objectives of promoting human rights and gender equality worldwide. While the resolution primarily impacts international policy, the UK's proactive role at the UN Human Rights Council underscores its commitment to upholding global standards and advocating for vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, against practices deemed illegal and harmful under international law.