New York – October 10, 2025. At the UN, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, calls for the universal abolition of surrogacy: a historic turning point for women’s and children’s rights.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Ms. Reem Alsalem, today delivered an unprecedented call from the podium of the General Assembly for the universal abolition of surrogacy.

• “Women used as surrogates are subjected to physical, psychological, and economic violence. Their dignity and fundamental rights are violated,” she declared.

• “Children born through surrogacy are separated at birth from the only mother they have ever known. To be born through surrogacy is to begin life with rupture and loss.”

• “No society can progress by normalizing the sale of women’s bodies. This is not love, it is violence.”

• Ms. Alsalem emphasized that, “like prostitution, surrogacy exploits women for being women,” and advised States:

• “We must criminalize those who buy and profit: never the women themselves.”

• “The goal must be clear: to abolish surrogacy in all its forms.”

States Speak in Favor of an International Treaty

During the dialogue, Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Italy, and the Holy See praised the clarity of the report and supported the development of a treaty. Other countries expressed their gratitude to Ms. Alsalem and posed detailed questions regarding her recommendations.

This marks, according to the Casablanca Declaration, a major step toward a universal human rights approach.

The Casablanca Declaration in New York

Present in New York, the Casablanca Declaration delegation, represented by Olivia Maurel (spokesperson) and Bernard Garcia (executive director), hailed “a historic moment for women’s and children’s rights.”

Olivia Maurel: “This day marks a turning point. Reem Alsalem spoke the truth the world needs to hear: surrogacy is violence, not an act of love. History is being written today.”

Bernard Garcia: “Reem Alsalem’s call to abolish surrogacy aligns perfectly with the heart of our mission: to develop an international treaty to protect the dignity of women and children worldwide.”

 

👉 Press Contact: Bernard Garcia, Executif Director of the Casablanca Declaration – WhatsApp : +33 (0) 6 58 43 69 71