[Text on screen]: SEX.

It’s probably not the first thing you think of when you hear human rights. But occasionally The Human Rights Court does wade into the bedroom.

The question is...do we have a human right to sex?

Aside from just feeling great, sex has actually been scientifically proven to improve our health...which includes both mental health and physical health.

In 2017, a Portuguese woman sued her hospital for a botched operation that left her unable to have sex.

She was awarded compensation but an appeal meant it was reduced because she was 50.

Her case rested on Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) and Article 8 (right to private and family life) of the Human Rights Convention.

The Court ruled in her favour, saying that Article 8 “covers the right to relationships with other humans”...and that age and gender were poor reasons for reducing compensation.

Sex isn’t strictly classed as a human right.

Unlike water, food or shelter, it isn’t something we depend on for survival.

However, it is raised in several HR documents.

Documents like the Yogyakarta Principles, 2006, outline areas of sexual orientation and gender identity.

It was modified in 2017 to tackle issues of abuse and discrimination towards the LGBT community.

The right to express your sexuality is also protected by freedom of speech in Article 10.

Despite not being a human right, the importance of sex in human lives is clear.

Our right to choose to have sex is special, and everyone's choice is important.

Family, Young People

Is Sex A Human Right?

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Published on 29 Nov 2019

What on earth does sex have to do with human rights? Is sex a human right? Our right to express our sexuality is protected by Article 10 – the right to freedom of expression. But there’s a lot more to it than that.

Turns out human rights are sexier than you thought, this video explains why.

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