November 14, 2025
CONTACT: madison@unbendablemedia.com
The resolution recognizes World Human Rights Day and is another example of state and local governments stepping up in the absence of federal leadership
PHILADELPHIA – All* Above All celebrates the passage of a resolution to recognize abortion rights as human rights by the Philadelphia City Council – which recognizes December 10th as World Human Rights Day and declares that access to the full range of reproductive health services, including abortion care, is a core tenet of our human rights obligations under international law.
Across the country, the curtailment of abortion access has led to increased maternal morbidity rates, exacerbating the racial disparities already existing in maternal health outcomes where Black birthing people are nearly twice as likely to experience severe maternal morbidity than their white counterparts. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, there has been an 8% increase in pregnancy-associated mortality and infant mortality rates have increased 5.6% above expected levels in the states that have abortion bans. These disparities only continue to widen with Black infants suffering an 11% increase in mortality rates compared to a 5% increase for white infants.
Currently, the federal government is looking to evade international accountability at the United Nations by refusing to participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the mechanism by which the Human Rights Commission audits a country’s compliance under international laws and treaties. This resolution is one of many across the country that are bringing attention to the UPR process and the federal government’s failure to act in preservation of our human rights.
Through passage of this resolution, the City of Philadelphia shows its commitment to safeguarding the human rights of all of its residents, even when the federal government and anti-abortion extremists seek to infringe upon those rights.
“The right to an abortion is a human right — the right to control our own bodies, shape our futures, and decide what’s best for our families,” said Daniel Mosher, Deputy Director of State Strategies at All* Above All. “As anti-abortion extremists in Congress and state governments double down on their crusade to control our bodies and our futures, leaders like Councilmember Brooks are drawing a line in the sand. Their courage makes it clear: our communities will not be bullied out of the care and freedom we deserve. What happened today in Philadelphia will echo across the country as cities stand up to defend our dignity, our futures, and our fundamental rights.”
“Piece by piece, the Trump administration is dismantling the protections that once made our country one of the safest and freest places in the world for people seeking reproductive care,” said Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks. “Withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council’s Periodic Review is an attempt by the Trump administration to hide from the world and dodge responsibility for undermining our health, safety, and human rights. With this resolution, Philadelphia joins cities across the country in shining a light on these attacks and committing to uphold reproductive rights at the local level.”
“Recognizing abortion care as a core human right is inseparable from the fight to improve Black maternal health outcomes,” said State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, 24th Legislative District, Chair of the Joint Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color of the PA Legislative Black Caucus and PA Women’s Health Caucus. “Amid a Black maternal public health crisis that routinely denies pregnant people their basic humanity, our work is a demand for bodily autonomy, equitable care, and the right to live—and give birth—in safe, supportive communities.”
“By passing this resolution, Philadelphia affirms what international law and human rights principles have long made clear: access to abortion and comprehensive reproductive care is fundamental,” said Rep. Gina H. Curry, 164th Legislative District, Co-Chair of the PA Women’s Health Caucus. “The maternal health crisis facing Black women and pregnant people is urgent—and it is worsened by systemic racism, barriers to abortion care, and a healthcare system that continues to fail too many.”
“Our city will not shrink from global accountability, nor will we look away as pregnant people—especially Black and brown communities—face heightened risks, discrimination, and criminalization,” said Rep. Morgan Cephas, 192nd Legislative District. “This resolution makes clear that human rights don’t disappear simply because the federal government refuses to act. Philadelphia will protect the dignity, autonomy, and safety of every resident.
All* Above All envisions a world where all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or geographic location, have complete autonomy over their reproductive health. This includes unrestricted access to affordable, safe abortion services, as well as comprehensive sexual and reproductive health. In short, All* works for a world where all people can make decisions about their pregnancy free from stigma, with dignity in safe and just environments. A world where reproductive justice is a reality for all.
Campaign: Reproductive Justice