Pro-life groups at the United
Nations this week complained that important talks
surrounding the Beijing+5 conference, including
negotiations regarding "reproductive rights," are being
held in secret, in violation of UN rules.
The Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute (C-FAM) said
that while most UN meetings allow officially-recognized
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to have open access
to delegates, many are being excluded from what they have
termed "backroom political deals" and say no record is
being made of the meetings.
Of most concern to the pro-life groups are proposals
advanced by Mexico, the US, and the European Union calling
for abortion to be made "more accessible," which they say
would be a violation of the original conclusions of the
1995 Beijing Conference on Women. The new language also
requires all health service providers to learn abortion
procedures even if it would violate their religious
beliefs. This would even apply to countries that do not
allow abortion under any circumstances. Conservatives
consider these an assault on religious freedom and national
sovereignty.
Delegates from developing nations, banded together in a
group known as G77, have begun to object to the
pro-abortion policies being advanced under the title of
"reproductive rights." The delegates are saying that "food
and medicines must not be used as a tool for political
pressure," according to the World Life League.
"This battle for alleged reproductive freedom began at the
UN more than two decades ago," said Mark DeYoung, director
of World Life League. "For decades, developing nations have
been forced to accept 'family planning' in order to receive
basic aid. The G77 is finally telling the West that enough
is enough."
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