ENB:14:16
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CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP II
The Contact Group for Working Group II, chaired by Olga Pellicer (Mexico), completed its first reading of the draft Beijing Declaration on Saturday. Delegates amended and adopted a paragraph on participation as fundamental, adding empowerment and "on the basis of equality." Several delegations objected to "women s rights are human rights." The language was bracketed after "and human rights are women s rights" was added. A paragraph on equal rights and the family was bracketed.
Delegates agreed to wait for Working Group I s decision before acting on women s right to control their own health and fertility. Paragraphs on the relationship of women s advancement to peace and to conflict resolution were merged.
A paragraph on the participation of civil society and other groups was adopted. Delegates accepted language on intensifying efforts to implement the Nairobi Strategies. A bracketed paragraph ensuring all human rights and fundamental freedoms including "sexual and reproductive rights" was added. Delegates adopted a paragraph on measures to eliminate discrimination against the girl child.
Language to achieve people-centered sustainable development through education, training and health care was adopted, with an added reference to literacy. A paragraph on eradicating poverty was adopted, including references to rural women and women s economic independence. Delegates added a paragraph on men s participation.
Delegates deferred discussion on a call to eliminate nuclear weapons. A paragraph was added and bracketed on health care and sexual and reproductive health. Language on promotion and protection of human rights was adopted. A paragraph was added on barriers to enjoyment of human rights, with specified barriers in brackets. Language on respect for international law was adopted with minor amendments. Delegates adopted the paragraph on girls and women s full potential. Paragraphs on access to technology, information and markets and on ensuring mobilization of funds were bracketed.