Small report on CPD 46

Commission on Population and Development – 2013      #CPD46

Pro-Life analysis of final outcome document.

As always we feel quite depressed after any UN negotiations. However upon mature reflection after the event it is not as dark as we imagines. This is the case with the 46^th session of the  CPD.

Relevant paragraphs relating to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights ( SRHR )

PP11. Recognizing that the full implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the key actions for its further implementation, including those related to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, which would also contribute to the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action[1], as well as those on population and development, education and gender equality, are integrally linked to global efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development, and that population dynamics are all-important for development,

PP29. Recognizing also that young people, including young migrants, are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection because of social and economic factors and other inequities, including stigma and discrimination, gender-based and sexual violence, gender inequality and violations, and lack of accurate information on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and access to sexual and reproductive health, including HIV-related services,

PP32. Recognizing also that in order to achieve their full potential for economic and social development, migrants need to have access to vital registration services and relevant documentation, education, vocational training, housing, productive employment, and social and health services, including sexual and reproductive health services, with due regard for applicable laws and eligibility requirements,

OP30. Recognizes that migrants and displaced persons in many parts of the world have limited access to health care, including for sexual and reproductive health, and face specific threats to their reproductive health and rights, and calls upon Governments to provide services that are particularly sensitive to the needs of individual women and adolescents and responsive to their often powerless situation, with particular attention to those who are victims of sexual violence;

OP31. Further calls upon Member States to intensify efforts to provide migrants with access to health and social services, including sexual and reproductive health services, information and education, and access to services for the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS and other communicable or non-communicable diseases, and for the care and support of persons living with these conditions; as well as to implement measures to prevent violence, including sexual violence, and address the consequences by providing, inter alia, emergency contraception, and safe abortion in circumstances where such services are permitted by the national law;

Sovereignty paragraph

OP3. Further reaffirms the sovereign right of each country to implement the recommendations of the Programme of Action or other proposals in the present resolution, consistent with national laws and development priorities, with full respect for the various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of its people, and in conformity with universally recognized international human rights;

Note – The sovereignty paragraph is very strong and was re-emphasised by Russia in their reservations. There is little in this to claim any right to abortion.

Reservations

Egypt – Speaking for the Arab group said that they were unhappy that there was an over emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights ( SRHR) and not enough emphasis on the real need of migrants for jobs , shelter , accommodation etc. He stresses the importance of the national sovereignty paragraph ( OP3 ).

Nigeria – Speaking for the 34 countries of the African group and complained like the Arab group that there was too much prominence given to SRHR and too little mention of food , education and employment needs of migrants. Mentioned the need to interpret all in the light of ICPD.

Pro-Life Countries – The following countries gave excellent pro-life reservations and asked for these to be placed in the record of the meeting – Sudan , Qatar , Poland , Hungary , Chile , Honduras , Malta, Bangladesh and the Holy See.

Pro-abortion countries – The following liked the SRHR language – Mexico , USA, Costa Rica,  Norway and Brazil

Comprehensive Sexuality Education -  There were two references to this in the previous draft , but both were deleted , this is a considerable victory , as there was support from the Arab abd African groups as well as the Holy See for this deletion.

Sexual orientation and gender identity  ( SOGI ) – The six references to SOGI in the previous document ( Rev 2 ) were all deleted. These people made no “ progress” at this meeting.

Summary – We would have preferred not to have the five paragraphs on SRHR , but the sovereignty paragraph was strong. The Arab and African groups both made strong statements on the unbalanced nature of the final text and complained about SRHR being too prominent , and more basic things like education , housing , jobs etc should have been  given more space. This was a large part of our campaign and was quite successful. It was good that comprehensive sexuality education was deleted along with SOGI references

There is little in this document to build toward a right to abortion. This document is not a consensus document in many areas especially abortion . The number of reservations from two major country groups and nine specific countries is proof of this.

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