UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
27th session
Panel on the Protection of the Family and its Members
Intervention by Austria, Croatia and Slovenia
Mr. President,
I would like to present this statement on behalf of Austria, Croatia and my own
country, Slovenia. All three countries attach great importance to protect and support
all families and their members with a range of social policies and programs. In this,
we strive to help all families and their members, regardless of family size, origin, form
or composition. It is also important to note that no one should be forced to form a
family. We oppose child early or forced marriages and interdictions to marry because
of different religious denominations.
We all agree that a loving family environment is of great importance for the full and
harmonious development of children. Therefore a family should be based on mutual
respect and understanding among all its members. No family member should be
discriminated against based on his or her gender, age, disability, sexual orientation
and gender identity, race, colour, nationality, religion or belief or any other personal
circumstances – neither by other family members, society nor the state. In this vein,
we have to respect different forms of families, including single–parents and same sex
partners that exist in line with the constitutions and domestic legal system and in the
context of progressive development of international human rights law. Our
governments play an active role fostering equality and mutual respect within the
family and among family members through different incentives, such as positive
parenting programs. Could the panellists give examples of other initiatives aimed at
ensuring equality of family members, in particular gender equality?
States should create an enabling environment for all families to flourish. However, the
primal responsibility of all states is to protect and support each individual victim of
discrimination, violence, abuse or harmful practice within the family. Could panellists
share their experience on how victims of domestic violence can be supported to claim
their rights?
Our countries strive to ensure to support in particular weaker family members through
easily accessible services and prevention programs.
I thank you.