This oral intervention was broadcasted at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development on September 16th, 2021. Watch the video statement here.

Thank you.

I am Shania Dea Menany Soputan from the Asia Pacific Climate Project and I am making the statement on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), Right Here Right Now Consortium Member Rutgers and 76 advocates and NGOs.

Recognising that the right to development is a comprehensive economic, social, cultural and political process, aiming to improve the well-being of all individuals through their free and meaningful participation in development, I am making this statement on behalf of the young people in all our diversities in the Asia-Pacific region to make the following key demands:

1. As the world moves ahead to meet the target of the 2030  Agenda on  Sustainable  Development,  we  call  for  Member  States to adopt an intersectional,  gender responsive, non-discriminatory and participatory approach,  one that fosters youth empowerment and leadership,  so we can collectively address the issues that affect our agency, decision and quality of life such as gender inequality, poverty, the socio-economic gap,  the loop between the access and underprivileged community, and sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination, to name a  few.
2. While the world explores transformative recovery from COVID-19, crucial lessons from the pandemic must be understood to enable accelerated sustainable solutions that will benefit us, our planet and our environment. In the face of the pandemic, there is  a need to re-emphasise and ensure that  health,  including sexual  and  reproductive  health  and  rights of young  people,  is  not  side-lined,  including  but not limited to adolescent pregnancies, maternal mortalities and morbidities, abortion, and other issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights;  communicable and  non-communicable  diseases;  universal  health-care coverage  and  equitable  access  to  medicines, treatments and vaccinations.
3. We demand unrestricted access to basic necessities, health, education including comprehensive sexuality education, information and technology, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities – all of which disproportionately affects young persons living in remote, rural, and slum areas, young people with disabilities, youth working in the informal sector, and those from marginalised groups including LGBTIQ+ people, migrants and refugees, stateless and displaced persons.
4. Disaggregated data needs to be collected to create evidence around health issues faced by diverse  communities,  including  but  not limited  to,  youth  groups,  such  as  adolescents, marginalised women,  LGBTIQ people, people with disabilities, religious and ethnic minorities, people living with and affected by  HIV,  young sex  workers,  and  marginalized  castes and ethnicities.  These include taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19 but also other pre-existing barriers to health  and  well-being  affected  by  gender inequality,  sexual,  gender-based  and psychological  violence,  poverty,  climate  change, environment,  disasters,  conflict,  food  and nutrition security, housing, sanitation, access to potable and drinking water, etc.
5. Monitoring the detrimental effects of climate change and disasters on issues such  as  the re-emergence of harmful practices such as early and forced child marriage and female genital mutilation is also crucial alongside realising and providing solutions to the effects of climate change on health and human rights, including  sexual  and  reproductive  health  and rights, especially among young people, women, persons  with  disabilities,  and  LGBTIQ+ people.

Lastly, we urge member states in the region to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and take effective steps for the elimination of flagrant violations of human rights against young human rights defenders. We demand the safe space to voice our thoughts and opinions without facing any forms of discrimination and violence as our inalienable right which is part of all the Member State’s obligation of ensuring right to development for all.

Endorsed by the following advocates and organisations:

1. Farah Nur Rasyidah Shamenan, Malaysian Youth Council, Malaysia
2. Jonero Dacula, Philippines
3. Joyee Chakma, Beyond the Hills, Bangladesh
4. Israr Ullah Marri, Pakistan
5. Jayson Yañez, Childfund Philippines, Philippines
6. K.M. Tha-Ha Owasif Aurnob, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
7. Qandeel Naeem, Voluntary Service Overseas, Pakistan
8. Alexander D. Bernal, Youth for Youth Organization, Philippines
9. Zohaib Hassan Sain, Pakistan
10. Nasir Sajjad, Pakistan
11. M Rhaka Katresna, Tim Krayon KGS Garut, Indonesia
12. Chinito Reel I. Casicas, Philippines
13. Tasmiah Rashid, Bangladesh
14. Md. Ashaduzzaman Abir, BRAC Education Programme, Bangladesh
15. Abdul Aziz, FPAP, Pakistan
16. Shubhangi Singh, India
17. Ngoc Nguyen, Vietnam
18. Ivy Katrina Añonuevo, Philippines
19. Shirin Akter, CRDDBD, Bangladesh
20. Md Sagar Molla, SADA, Bangladesh
21. Daryl Pasera, Young Advocates for SRHR , Philippines
22. Rishav Das, Social Activism Network Nepal, Nepal
23. Umme Salma, Participatory Research Action Network – PRAAN, Bangladesh
24. Sonika Pote Shrestha, Nepal
25. Anusha Rym, Malaysia
26. Prakash Lama, Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA), Nepal
27. Jin Tanaka, UNISC International, Japan
28. Women with Disabilities Development Foundation-WDDF, Bangladesh
29. Kriti Keshari, Nepal
30. Ian Rey feras, Znfepa, Philippines
31. Kezang Choden, College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan
32. Gabriel Denoyo, ZnFepa, Philippines
33. Amanda Ng, Malaysia
34. Centre for Environment, Human Rights & Development Forum- CEHRDF, Bangladesh
35. Md. Ilias Miah, Bangladesh
36. Philmark Tanoc Jaducana, Kasilinganan Children’s Association, Philippines
37. Mamta Bhattarai, Visible Impact, Nepal
38. Sherly Sherly, AKAR, Indonesia
39. Idham Sepriansyah, Karang Taruna Lebak Bulus, Indonesia
40. Fatima Naqvi, Pakistan
41. Ni Putu Candra Dewi, Indonesia
42. Kazi Mahir Tajwar, Bangladesh
43. Karma Sangay Phuntsho, Bhutan
44. Al Imran, Environment Defense Network , Bangladesh
45. Meenakshi Ruhela, Pravah, India
46. Ajit Bhatta, Samsara Creation, Nepal
47. Bandhu social welfare society, Bangladesh
48. Shostika Khatri, Nepal volunteer association, UNICEF volunteer, SDGs Nepal, Nepal
49. Analie A. Montreas, I Lead Movement, Philippines
50. Rukshana Kapali, Queer Youth Group, Nepal
51. Kainat Rohail, Global Youth Peace Movement, Pakistan
52. Ibrahim Afridi, We Vs Waste, Pakistan
53. Ugyen Lhendup Rabga, The ROTDs, Bhutan
54. Ayesha Shaikh, Royals Entrepreneurs, Pakistan
55. Bilqis Cathriona Gray, Srikandi Panjalu, Regency Ciamis, West Java Provinced, Indonesia
56. Robert Anlocotan Jr, Philippines
57. Harish Lama, Nepal Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Association, Nepal
58. Cristine C. Dilla, Philippines
59. Saleem Ullah, Biohacking Space Peshawar, Pakistan
60. Anastasha Arul Abraham, Malaysia
61. Aung Tin Myint, Myanmar
62. MD Sumsul Islam polok, Bangladesh
63. Monsters Among Us, Malaysia
64. Sabina Pokhrel, Nepal
65. D. Anisa Sunija, Mitra Citra Remaja (Youth Center of IPPA), Indonesia
66. Mansingh Aidee, Nepal
67. Saraban Tahura Zaman, Bangladesh
68. Mohsin Baig, Rahnuma Family Planning Association of Pakistan, Pakistan
69. Rushna Zubair, digital 9 to 1 X 19, Pakistan
70. Hafiz Talha, Pakistan
71. Arooba Iqbal, Pakistan
72. Dodik Kurniawan, Independent Youth Forum Papua, Indonesia
73. Shreya Shrestha, Nepal
74. Damayanti Prabasari, Indonesia
75. Barsha gurung, YPEER Nepal, Nepal
76. Musabbir Hossain, Youth Flambeu, Bangladesh