Daily report for 10 September 1994

MAIN COMMITTEE

In a day filled with stops and starts, the Main Committee waitedfor small working groups to reach consensus on the outstanding textand for the Secretariat to finish photocopying the variouschapters. Nevertheless, consensus continued to prove elusive andwhen the Committee adjourned at 9:00 pm, numerous outstandingissues remained.

AMENDMENTS TO UNBRACKETED TEXT: In the morning the Chair,Fred Sai, convened an informal meeting to present the amendments tounbracketed text that the Friends of the Chair had approved. Thefirst amendment was to paragraph 3.19, which deals with theunderserved members of society. The word "relevant" was addedbefore "reproductive rights," as was "as appropriate," after thereference to "children" in footnote 17. Ethiopia questioned howreproductive health could apply to toddlers or infants, but theChair responded that there are medical circumstances where this isthe case and that this is precisely why "where appropriate" shouldbe retained. Liberia suggested keeping this reference inparentheses, but Egypt disagreed. Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia,Iran, Nigeria, Zambia, Canada, Benin, Libya and The Gambiaexpressed their support.

In paragraph 4.9, "forced prostitution" was replaced with"exploitation through prostitution." In paragraph 4.17, the newtext refers to "equitable inheritance rights." In paragraph 4.21,the reference to "alternatives to early marriage" was deleted andin paragraph 4.29 the word "relevant" was added to qualifyprogrammes designed to reach boys before they become sexuallyactive. On the whole of Chapter IV, Algeria, supported by Benin,said that the language used to refer to the "empowerment of women"is not appropriate, particularly in the French translation.

In paragraph 5.5 (elimination of coercion and discrimination),Zimbabwe, the EU, Austria and Australia objected to the newreference to "the family" and the deletion of "marriage" and "otherunions." Slovenia, Zambia, Nigeria and The Gambia wanted to retainthe reference to "the family." Uruguay suggested "families" as acompromise. The Chair encouraged the participants to accept thetext with reservations, but since there were so many, a workinggroup was formed to deal with this issue. In paragraph 6.27, theamended text refers to the right of indigenous people to "havetenure and manage their lands."

In paragraph 8.24 the brackets were removed around "safemotherhood," but the Holy See said that this was still subject tothe adoption of Chapter VII. The reference to "early marriage" and"unions" was replaced with "family formation."

There was some debate on paragraph 10.7, which deals with thosecountries threatened with global warming and climate change, whenthe EU asked why the word "imminently" was added to change themeaning of the text. India, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islandsand the G-77 said that the amendment improved the text and askedthe EU to withdraw its objection. The amendment was accepted.

The final change was in paragraph 14.3, where Zimbabwe asked why"sustainable" had been added to development. The Chair, supportedby Sri Lanka, answered that the world never wants unsustainabledevelopment again.

III. INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN POPULATION, SUSTAINED ECONOMICGROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: In the formal session thatfollowed, Chapter III was adopted ad referendum. TheSecretary read out the amendments that had been approved by theCommittee in an informal session earlier in the week and in themorning (3.19). In paragraph 3.16, brackets around the lastsentence (ending discrimination against women) were deleted. TheHoly See pointed out that "reproductive health services" remainsbracketed. In paragraph 3.21, reference to transparency andcurtailing corruption in Governments was deleted and reference tohuman resource development was added. The brackets around paragraph3.22 (supportive economic environment) were deleted.

IV. GENDER EQUALITY, EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN: Fourparagraphs had been amended. Paragraphs 4.9 and 4.17 had beenapproved in the morning. In paragraphs 4.21 and 4.29, "alternativesto early marriage" and "including sexual health and rights andreproduction" were deleted, respectively. The chapter was adoptedad referendum.

VI. POPULATION GROWTH AND STRUCTURE: Throughout Chapter VI,the letter "s" in "indigenous peoples" was deleted. Noting theamendment to paragraph 6.27, which had been approved earlier, thechapter was adopted ad referendum.

V. THE FAMILY, ITS ROLES, COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE: Inparagraph 5.1, "concepts of the family" was changed to "forms ofthe family" and in paragraph 5.5 (elimination of coercion anddiscrimination), the words, "marriage and other unions and" weredeleted, leaving only reference to "the family." The Holy Seeindicated its preference for retaining "concepts" of the family,while Bolivia supported "forms." Germany (on behalf of the EU),supported by Austria and others, said that they preferred theoriginal language in paragraph 5.5. Zimbabwe, Zambia, the DominicanRepublic, Honduras and Ecuador did not want to delete "marriage."Benin asked for further consultations.

I. PREAMBLE: After lunch, the Chair led the delegatesthrough a paragraph-by-paragraph reading of the revised text of thePreamble, as negotiated by the Friends of the Chair. A few of theparagraphs still proved to be problematic. In paragraph 1.5(mandate of the Conference), Algeria requested reference todevelopment in the last sentence. Germany pointed out that thesecond sentence says that development and population issues areinterrelated. Nothing was resolved.

Paragraph 1.8 still contains brackets around the reference tosexual and reproductive health. In paragraph 1.9 (mobilization ofresources), the EU proposed amending the second sentence to read"...mobilization of resources at the national andinternational level will be required..." and placed bracketsaround the reference to "new and additional financial resources."Algeria, on behalf of the G-77, said the EU amendment should alsobe bracketed.

In paragraph 1.17 (intensified efforts in population anddevelopment activities), the G-77 amended the last sentence bydeleting reference to "philosophical convictions" and the lastphrase to read "...as well as the shared but differentiatedresponsibilities for a common future." Pakistan wanted to add "its"before "religious beliefs." Some delegates objected.

Paragraph 1.18 (objectives) was amended so that the last sentencereads "Among these goals are: education, especially for girls;gender equity and equality; infant, child and maternal mortalityreduction; and the provision of universal access to [sexual andreproductive health services, including family planning] andsustainable economic growth, within the context of sustainabledevelopment." In paragraph 1.20 (meeting the goals of theConference), Algeria changed reference to "all groups in society"to "all members of society." In 1.21, the EU bracketed "religiousand cultural values," pending outcome of the discussion of thechapeau of Chapter II.

VIII. HEALTH, MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY: After a break, theformal meeting resumed and the Secretary read out the amendments.Brackets were removed in the paragraphs that contained quantitativegoals: 8.5, 8.12, 8.16, and 8.21. In paragraph 8.17, a footnote,which defines "safe motherhood," was added. The brackets around"safe motherhood" were also deleted in paragraphs 8.19, 8.20, 8.22and 8.24.

Paragraph 8.25 now reads: "In no case should abortion be promotedas a method of family planning. All Governments and relevantintergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are urged tostrengthen their commitment to women's health, to deal with thehealth impact of unsafe abortion* as a major public health concernand to reduce the recourse to abortion through expanded andimproved family planning services. Prevention of unwantedpregnancies must always be given the highest priority and allattempts should be made to eliminate the need for abortion. Womenwho have unwanted pregnancies should have ready access to reliableinformation and compassionate counselling. Any measures or changesrelated to abortion within the health system can only be determinedat the national or local level according to the nationallegislative process. In circumstances in which abortion is notagainst the law, such abortion should be safe. In all cases, womenshould have access to quality services for the management ofcomplications arising from abortion. Post-abortion counselling,education and family planning services should be offered promptlywhich will also help to avoid repeat abortions." The footnotereads: "Unsafe abortion is defined as a procedure for terminatingan unwanted pregnancy either by persons lacking necessary skills orin an environment lacking the minimal medical standards or both."

The Holy See, supported by Malta and Ecuador, said that it did notendorse legalized abortion and withheld assent until discussion inPlenary. Jordan, supported by Libya, said that it would interpretthis paragraph according to Islamic Law. The Central AmericanStates said that they were working on the Spanish text and wouldreserve their position, pending the translation. Benin said thatthe Francophone countries had agreed on acceptable text. The textwas adopted ad referendum and the reservations were noted.

XII. TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: The Secretaryread out the two amended paragraphs in this chapter. The bracketswere deleted in 12.17 around the words "Since unsafe abortion is amajor threat to the health and lives of women..." In the footnoteto paragraph 12.20 (objectives), the list of underserved groups isnow qualified by the phrase "which could include." In sub-paragraph12.20(b), The Gambia added the word, "individuals," and sentencenow reads: "to improve the welfare of individuals and families."

X. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION: The Secretary read out theamendments to paragraphs 10.3 (ethnic, religious or linguisticminorities), 10.7 (climate change), 10.13 (special needs ofchildren and the elderly), 10.20 (undocumented migrants), and 10.25(refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced persons). The second partof paragraph 10.12 was completely redrafted and no longer refers tothe right to family reunification. More than 35 participantsexpressed their regrets, frustration, sadness, difficulties andeven reservations, including: the Dominican Republic, Zambia, Mali,Benin, Zimbabwe, The Gambia, Cuba, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria,China, Cameroon, Swaziland, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico,Mauritania, Honduras, Libya, Liberia, Chile, the Philippines,Bangladesh, Bolivia, Uganda, Malawi, Botswana, Peru, El Salvador,Paraguay, the Holy See, Suriname, the Congo, Chad and Haiti. Canadasaid that for the first time countries have agreed to implement, inpractice, family reunification in their national legislation, andthis is progress. The Chair said that it was sad that the world'sdivisions are stronger when it comes to migration and relatedmatters. Several delegates asked that the draft be rejected, sinceit was not fully endorsed. Zimbabwe said that a compromise could bebased on reference to Article 10.1 of the Convention on the Rightsof the Child. The Chair postponed the chapter's adoption.

IN THE CORRIDORS

During the course of the day, there was often more activity in thecorridors and the small conference rooms than there was in ChefrenHall. While the Secretariat staff were trying to compile, photocopyand distribute the amendments to the various chapters, delegateswere running from room to room trying to agree on consensuslanguage for the remaining controversial issues in the text. In oneroom, discussions on family reunification (paragraph 10.12) finallyconcluded during the early evening, only to find that the adoptionof the "compromise" text was postponed by the Main Committee.Consultations also continued on reproductive and sexual rights andreproductive and sexual health in Chapter VII; the chapeau toChapter II (principles); paragraph 5.5 (family, marriage and "otherunions"); paragraph 13.15 (estimated costs for the implementationof the Programme of Action); and paragraph 14.3(f) (basic humanrights), which is also linked to the principles. Consultations alsobegan on some of the outstanding issues in the Preamble, which wereaired in the Main Committee. As time ran out and consensus wasstill not in hand, many delegates realized that their one free dayin Cairo may have disappeared.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The Plenary will continue its general debate.Today's speakers should include El Salvador, C“te d'Ivoire, Chad,Organization of the Islamic Conference, Myanmar, Belarus, Iceland,the Czech Republic, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Cambodia,the Dominican Republic, Peru, Liberia, the Lao People's DemocraticRepublic, the United Republic of Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, UnitedNations Population Fund, the US Virgin Islands, Seychelles, Zaire,Guinea, Costa Rica, The Gambia, Haiti, Jordan, Gabon, Rwanda, SanMarino, Syria, Togo, Azerbaijan, Sao Tome and Principe, Lithuania,Georgia, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Pathfinder International, VividCommunication with Women in their Culture, Associated Country Womenof the World, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Family PlanningAssociation of India, International Confederation of Free TradeUnions and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

MAIN COMMITTEE: The Main Committee was unable to completeits work as scheduled on Friday. Therefore, the Main Committee willreconvene this morning at 10:00 am in Chefren Hall to adopt adreferendum the remaining chapters in the Programme of Action.Insha-Allah.