Since assuming office, President Milei of Argentina [pictured here with Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago], who campaigned on a libertarian platform, has introduced significant changes to the country’s social and economic policies. Notably, his administration has ceased purchasing essential supplies for abortion services and has prohibited the use of gender-inclusive language in official documentation. The national anti-discrimination agency has effectively been closed, with its duties purportedly absorbed by the Ministry of Justice.
Milei’s presidency has also been marked by controversial reforms and rhetoric that have drawn criticism from various domestic and international observers. His campaign saw accusations of hate speech directed towards LGBTQ communities by his party, claims that were echoed by Argentina’s National Observatory of LGBTQ Hate Crimes.
So it comes as little surprise that Argentina found itself isolated in the international arena on Thursday as it stood alone in voting against a United Nations resolution aimed at curtailing online violence against women and girls. The resolution received overwhelming support during the UN General Assembly session, with 170 nations endorsing the initiative and 13 others opting to abstain. Noteworthy abstentions included countries like Iran, Russia, Nicaragua, and North Korea. Nice company to be in.
The South American country justified its dissent by expressing concerns over the potential misuse of certain terms within the resolution. Argentine representatives highlighted words like “hate speech,” “misinformation,” and “disinformation” as potentially ambiguous and cautioned against their capability to be leveraged to unduly limit freedom of expression. This stance echoes the rhetoric of President Javier Milei, who has previously criticised the UN for attempting to “impose an ideological agenda.”
During his speech at the UN General Assembly in September, Milei declared, “We are at the end of a cycle. The collectivism and moral high ground from the woke agenda have crashed with reality, and they don’t offer credible solutions for the world’s problem.” His comments reflect his administration’s broader perspective on international policies and frameworks, especially those that align with the UN-sponsored 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which he seeks to distance Argentina from.
This latest development follows another recent instance where Argentina was the sole nation to oppose a UN resolution related to the rights of indigenous peoples, further delineating its unique position in global discussions on human rights and equality.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://onu.delegfrance.org/adoption-of-the-franco-dutch-resolution-on-violence-against-women-and-girls – Corroborates the adoption of the UN resolution aimed at curtailing online violence against women and girls, and the various forms of violence it addresses.
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day – Provides context on the global issue of violence against women and girls, including online violence, and the UN’s efforts to address it.
- https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/tech-facilitated-gender-based-violence – Details the extent and impact of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which is relevant to the resolution Argentina voted against.
- https://press.un.org/en/2024/dsgsm1921.doc.htm – Highlights the UN’s initiatives, such as the Spotlight Initiative, to combat violence against women and girls, which contrasts with Argentina’s stance.
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day – Explains the broader context of violence against women and girls, including the UN’s definition and efforts to address it, which Argentina’s vote opposes.
- https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/tech-facilitated-gender-based-violence – Discusses the specific concerns and actions related to online violence against women and girls, which Argentina’s vote was against.
- https://onu.delegfrance.org/adoption-of-the-franco-dutch-resolution-on-violence-against-women-and-girls – Provides details on the resolution and the international support it received, contrasting with Argentina’s isolated position.
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day – Outlines the global statistics and impacts of violence against women and girls, which are central to the resolution Argentina opposed.
- https://press.un.org/en/2024/dsgsm1921.doc.htm – Describes the comprehensive approach and successes of initiatives like the Spotlight Initiative, which Argentina’s vote does not support.
- https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/tech-facilitated-gender-based-violence – Explains the heightened risk for certain groups, such as women with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals, which is relevant to Argentina’s controversial policies.
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day – Highlights the importance of international cooperation and the role of the UN in addressing violence against women and girls, contrasting with Argentina’s isolation.
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