2nd attachment to the
Perejil-Leyla Republic Constitution
Declaration of Sexual Rights
Valencia Declaration of Sexual Rights
Valencia, Spain, June 20, 1997
We, the participants of the
XIII World Congress of Sexology, declare that: Sexuality is a changing and
dynamic dimension of humanity. It is constructed through the integration
between the individual and social structures. It is present throughout the life
cycle harmonizing identity creating and/or strengthening interpersonal bonds.
Sexual pleasure, including
autoeroticism, is a source of physical, psychological, intellectual and
spiritual well-being. It is associated with a conflict and anxiety-free
experience of sexuality, which allows, therefore, social personal development.
We hereby urge that
societies create the conditions to satisfy the needs for the full development
of the individual and respect for the following Sexual Rights.
- The right to freedom, which includes all
forms of sexual coercion, exploitation and abuse at any time and
situations in life. The struggle against violence is a social priority.
- The right to autonomy, integrity and
safety of the body. This right encompasses control and enjoyment of our
own bodies free from torture, mutilation and violence of any sort.
- The right to sexual equity. This refers to
freedom from all forms of discrimination, paying due respect to sexual
diversity, regardless of sex, gender, age, race, social class, religion
and sexual orientation.
- The right to sexual health. Including
availability to all sufficient resources for development of research and
knowledge. HIV/AIDS and STDs. Require more resources for research,
diagnosis and treatment.
- The right to wide, objective and factual
information on human sexuality in order to allow decision-making regarding
sexual life.
- The right to a comprehensive sexuality education
from birth and throughout the life cycle. All social institutions should
be involved in this process.
- The right to associate freely. This means
the possibility to marry or not, to divorce, and to establish other types
of sexual associations.
- The right to make free and responsible
choices regarding reproductive life. This involves the number and spacing
of children and the access to means of fertility regulation. All children
should be desired and loved.
- The right to privacy which implies the capability
of making autonomous decisions about sexual life within a context of
personal and social ethics. Rational and satisfactory experience of
sexuality is a requirement for human development.
Sexual health is a basic and fundamental human
right.
Human sexuality is the origin of the deepest bond between human beings
and essential to the well-being of individuals, couples, families and society. Therefore,
the respect for sexual rights should be promoted through all means.
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