HRC47 – MRG welcomes Special Rapporteur’s focus on racial justice in health
Human Rights Council – 47th Session – Interactive dialogue with Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on right to health – Item 3
Statement delivered by Rasha Saba, MENA Programme Officer at Minority Rights Group International
Madam Special Rapporteur,
Minority Rights Group congratulates you on your appointment and welcomes your intention to focus on how racism and systemic oppression shape the health status and outcomes for many minorities and indigenous peoples globally.
We welcome your urgent call to eliminate barriers to healthcare and note how intersectional barriers particularly impact women and girls, especially in accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and rights fulfilment.
Minorities and indigenous peoples have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is rooted in long-standing socio-economic marginalisation on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and immigration status, which results in increased vulnerability to infections, higher prevalence of chronic conditions and restrictions in access to care.
It is vital that the Covid-19 vaccine rollouts address access barriers to vaccination programmes including misinformation and mistrust in health systems that some minorities and indigenous peoples experience.
Madam Special Rapporteur,
In conjunction with our local partners around the world we look forward to collaborating with your mandate in a collective effort towards achieving health equity and overcoming structural obstacles that prevent marginalised communities from enjoying their equal right to mental and physical health.
I thank you.
Watch the statement
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