Indonesia, Vatican will defend traditional view about sex<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In the current run up to the world conference on
\npopulation in Cairo this September, Indonesia has joined forces
\nwith The Vatican and many Latin American countries to defend the
\nview that sex should only be for the purposes of having children.<\/p>\n
As officials prepare the various documents and declarations to
\nbe read at the UN-sponsored conference, a debate has emerged as
\nto the question of people's sexual rights.<\/p>\n
The powerful Western nations are pressing for recognition of
\nsex as a right. This view entails the concept that sex should
\nalso be considered as a form of pleasure, aside from its
\npractical function as a means of reproduction, according to
\nIndonesian officials involved in the preparatory conferences.<\/p>\n
Liberal groups argue that sexual activity is the right of
\nindividuals, and people can have sexual relations without the
\nobligations traditionally imposed in most religions.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is strongly opposed this view and is fighting to
\nhave this line of reasoning deleted from the documents to be
\npresented in Cairo.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, a country where religious values are still strong,
\nbelieve that sexual right only exist within the boundaries of
\nholy matrimony.<\/p>\n
\"Religious values and norms in Indonesia also support this
\nview,\" State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono, who has been
\nfollowing the Cairo preparations, said.<\/p>\n
The question of sexual rights is one of five issues that have
\nbeen left pending after the last preparatory committee meeting in
\nNew York last April.<\/p>\n
According to Haryono, when both sides -- the liberals and the
\ntraditionalists -- aired their views on the subject, it was
\napparent that Indonesia would find allies in the Vatican and many
\nLatin American countries.<\/p>\n
Sex as choice<\/p>\n
The liberals argue that sexual rights cannot be separated from
\nhuman rights, meaning that sex is the choice of the individual.
\nThey also insist that, from the biological point of view, normal
\nsexual activity can improve one's mental and physical health.<\/p>\n
The conservative groups argue against making sexual rights
\nuniversal since not all individuals are entitled to them. They
\nsay sex outside of marriage cannot be justified and that the
\nprime function of sexual activity is only for the purpose of
\nreproduction.<\/p>\n
Haryono said there is also a debate in the preparatory
\ncommittee on the question of abortion as a method of population
\ncontrol.<\/p>\n
While Indonesia subscribes to the World Health Organization
\n(WHO)'s view that both men and women should shoulder the
\nresponsibility for using contraceptive devices, it cannot accept
\nWHO's suggestion that abortion could be considered as an option,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The conservatives are also opposing the liberals' proposition
\nthat abortion is a right, he said.<\/p>\n
Haryono said that at the Cairo conference, Indonesia will also
\nbe pushing for its own concepts on population control. Instead of
\nusing the familiar term 'family planning,' its program is more
\naptly described as the 'planned parenthood concept,' he said.
\n\"Under such a concept, there is no place for abortion.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, President Soeharto has been asked to address the UN
\nconference on population and development.<\/p>\n
Officials said Soeharto was selected not only because he is
\nchairman of the 110-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), but also
\nbecause of his immense success in bringing population growth in
\nIndonesia under control. The President, who is expected to travel
\nto Cairo, is a recipient of various international awards on
\npopulation.<\/p>\n
Thirteen other heads of states have been invited to address
\nthe conference, including the United States, Zimbabwe, Mexico,
\nNiger and Norway. (par)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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