Consensus unlikely as Beijing talks wind up<\/p>\n
By Santi WE Soekanto<\/p>\n
BEIJING (JP): Despite repeated expressions of optimism from
\nofficials, the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women
\nlooks set to conclude today without consensus on its two major
\ndocuments, the Platform for Action and the Beijing Declaration.<\/p>\n
As of yesterday, 20 participating states, including Indonesia,
\nstill had reservations on a number of issues contained in the
\ndraft Platform, which has been described as the world's agenda
\nfor women's advancement for the next decade.<\/p>\n
Iran and Sudan are reportedly among those countries who
\ncontinue to disagree with the majority of conference
\nparticipants, in particular regarding sexual and reproductive
\nrights.<\/p>\n
Sudan has said it cannot accept statements in either of the
\ntwo documents which are inconsistent with religious and cultural
\nvalues.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian delegation also has reservations about the term
\n"sexual orientation."<\/p>\n
Conference spokeswoman Therese Gastaut has not revealed which
\ncountries have registered reservations about the wording of the
\ndocuments.<\/p>\n
Gastaut denied that the days of exhausting negotiations at the
\nUS$2.5 million event had been a waste. The reservations are
\nchiefly over one or two paragraphs, she said, while consensus has
\nbeen achieved regarding most of the document.<\/p>\n
The term "sexual orientation," in the section which calls for
\nrecognition of women's human rights, has been one of the most
\ncontentious and discord over the use of the expression remained
\nunresolved as of yesterday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Another unresolved issue was that of resources and inheritance
\nrights for women, with disputes revolving around whether
\nresources should be "adequate" or "new and additional."<\/p>\n
The argument regarding inheritance rights is whether they
\nshould be described as "equal," or "equitable." The former
\ndescription is opposed by many Islamic states.<\/p>\n
The main committee convened again yesterday to hammer out
\ndifferences, with members saying they were prepared to continue
\ndiscussions into the early hours so that today could be devoted
\nto the closing ceremony alone.<\/p>\n
The committee would first adopt the documents, with or without
\nreservations on the part of some participants, and would submit
\nit to a plenary session today for general adoption. At that
\nsession, delegations will be able to voice their reservations
\nover any part in the document.<\/p>\n
Shahla Habibi, head of the Iranian delegation, denied charges
\nyesterday that Iran's position over the documents had weakened
\ncommitments.<\/p>\n
She said Iran was ready to campaign for the advancement of
\nwomen and to address various problems affecting them, but said
\nher delegation would nevertheless air reservations it had about
\nstatements in the documents which it regards as contrary to
\nIslamic teachings.<\/p>\n
Habibi flatly refuse to recognize the expression "sexual
\norientation."<\/p>\n
"We are indeed against the term "sexual orientation," and it's
\nnot only us who reject it, but also all other religious groups."<\/p>\n
However, Iran is committed to implementing the majority of the
\npolicies called for in the draft Platform.<\/p>\n
"If we wouldn't, why would we be here?" she said, adding that
\nmany of the points in the document, such as the one asking
\ngovernments to ensure full and equal access to education, are
\nsimilar to Islamic ideals.<\/p>\n
"Many concepts in the draft are actually the same as those put
\nforward by Islam 14 centuries ago," she said. "Differences (in
\ndeliberations) are normal...We should respect diverse cultural
\nand religious diversity."<\/p>\n
"I believe this platform for action can be implemented
\nuniversally, but with respect for diversity. Without diversity,
\nthis world would no longer be beautiful," she said.<\/p>\n
United Nations Under-Secretary-General Ismat Kittani will
\nstand in for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in closing
\nthe conference this morning.<\/p>\n
Press -- Page 12<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/consensus-unlikely-as-beijing-talks-wind-up-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }