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WORKING GROUP II

The Chair reported that by Saturday morning, the informal contact group had removed 95% of the brackets in Chapter I.

CHAPTER II: ERADICATION OF POVERTY

C. MEETING THE BASIC NEEDS OF ALL

Paragraph 32 (partnerships meeting basic needs of all): In the chapeau, the US withdrew its amendment to meet the basic needs of all "legal residents," due to strong G-77 and China objection. In 32(b) (women"s full access to social services), the EU objected to "gender-sensitive health services," preferring "comprehensive health care." Pakistan proposed language stating that abortion should not be promoted as a method of family planning and the Holy See bracketed the entire sub-paragraph. The G-77 and China proposed consolidating 32(b)(bis) and 32(bb)(bis), both of which referred to participation of and equal access for indigenous people. Norway agreed to move its 32(bbb)(bis) (health linked to the environment) as long as it remained somewhere in the document. The EU proposed in 32(c) (social services for vulnerable people) that "appropriate" rather than "special" services should be provided. In 32(d) (ensuring access to legal services), Japan specified that "free legal assistance" be provided for in trial procedures. The US, supported by the EU and Australia, qualified the reference with "where appropriate." The G-77 and China reserved on both formulations, which were bracketed. In response to the G-77 and China"s reference to "fair administration" of justice, the EU proposed using the Vienna formulation of "strong and independent administration of justice," which delegates accepted, pending the outcome of the bracketed reference to "free" services. The EU and Benin suggested that the US- proposed 32(new e) (restorative services for those requiring institutional care), which was expanded to encompass those who are homebound, is better placed in Chapter IV (Social Integration).

Paragraph 33 (implementation targets): In the chapeau, the US supported the Egyptian proposal "urging" countries to implement commitments rather than the imperatives in the original text ("must") or proposed by the G-77 and China ("should"). The EU qualified the G-77 and China"s proposal that there should be "appropriate" assistance from the international community, but the G-77 and China objected. With regard to the sub-paragraphs, the Chair said that the list of commitments have been made at other conferences and the language should be taken verbatim from the relevant declarations or programmes of action. Switzerland suggested that each sub-paragraph should include the source of each commitment. The US added two new sub-paragraphs on (1) life expectancy and (2) eradicating and controlling preventable diseases that represent a threat to development.

In 33(e)(reproductive healthcare), some delegates preferred reference to paragraph 7.6 of the Cairo Programme of Action, but the G-77 and China, the Holy See and Pakistan wanted direct reference to the following Cairo language: "while ensuring that in no case abortion should be promoted as a method of family planning." It was bracketed. Agreement was reached on how to monitor the implementation of these commitments (33(i)), and the Holy See dropped its proposed 33(j) on stable family units.

Paragraph 34 (social services): Delegates agreed that the paragraph should deal with access to "social services" for people living in poverty. Sub-paragraphs 34(a), on access to quality education, and 34(b), on non-formal education, were bracketed. Sub-paragraph 34(c) (preschool education) was accepted. In 34(d) (access to health service outlets), Norway, Switzerland and the US noted that reproductive health and family planning are not interchangeable and that the phrase should read "reproductive health, including family planning." The G-77 and China disagreed and it was bracketed. Delegates agreed that 34(d)(bis) should be moved to paragraph 71, which addresses violence against women. Pakistan and the Holy See felt that 34(e)(comprehensive national health care strategy) should not focus exclusively on reproductive health care. Delegates agreed to include Norway"s amendment regarding education about the benefits of breastfeeding. Sub- paragraph 34(f)(health care workers in low- income communities and rural areas) was also bracketed.

D. ENHANCED SOCIAL PROTECTION AND REDUCED VULNERABILITY

Paragraph 35 (social protection systems): The chapeau now reads: "Social protection systems should be based on legislation, as appropriate, strengthened and expanded, as necessary, in order to protect from poverty, people who cannot find work, people who cannot work due to sickness, disability, language barriers, old age or maternity, or caring for children and sick or elderly relatives, families that have lost a breadwinner through death or marital break-up, and people who have lost their livelihoods due to natural disaster or civil violence, wars or forced displacement. Due attention should be given to people affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Actions to this end [should] [could] include:".

Sub-paragraph 35(a) now reads: "Strengthening and expanding programmes targeted to those in need, programmes providing universal basic protection, and social security and social insurance programmes, with the choice of programmes depending on national financial and administrative capacities." Discussions continued until 9:00 pm.

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