Planned Parenthood The Head of the ABORTION Snake

080201IPPF URGES EU TO FIGHT AGAINST PARENT'S RIGHTS AT CHILD CONFERENCE

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has called upon its

European allies to put pressure on European governments to ratify sexual

rights for children. In a memo sent to IPPF contacts in the European

Union, IPPF also warns of the anticipated effectiveness of "right-wing

governments and groups" at the September UN Special Session on Children.

IPPF criticizes the activities of pro-family groups at the preparatory

meetings for the Special Session, and worries that the final document that

emerges in September will not establish sweeping enough reproductive

rights for children.

The memo reveals that IPPF is particularly angry at the presence of

pro-life non- governmental organizations (NGOs) at the UN. "Indeed, during

the recent Preparatory Committee meeting, a number of representatives from

right-wing organizations were present…Furthermore, they were more

disruptive than ever before," wrote Karin Helsecke of the IPPF European

Network, who is the author of the memo.

The principal point of the memo is that IPPF believes parents are the

potential enemies of children's rights. The memo says, "Right-wing

governments and groups are…attempting to insert language in the outcome

documents that would strengthen parental authority and control to the

detriment of established children's rights. For instance, they are calling

for language to be included to the effect that HIV/AIDS counseling for

children and adolescents would only be available with the 'knowledge of

parents', and generally oppose providing information, education and

services to adolescents with respect to their sexual and reproductive

health and rights, without parental consent. Clearly, the adoption of such

language must be fought against…"

IPPF also criticizes the traditional understanding of family as "based on

a man and woman united by marriage and their children", because such

institutions "…are neither safe, particularly for young girls, nor models

of gender equality." Indeed, IPPF was upset that, during the recent

preparatory committee meeting in New York, the US delegation emphasized

"the vital role the family plays in the upbringing of children." Most

major UN documents include similar language about the family. The UN

Declaration on Human Rights, for instance, states "the family is the

natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to

protection by society and the state." IPPF would object to this language.

IPPF, the largest abortion provider in the world, is one of the most

influential NGOs at the UN. At the UN, IPPF enjoys 'category one'

consultative status, which means that it works in close conjunction with

UN agencies, including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's

Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.

Some UN observers believe this status implies UN endorsement of IPPF's

"reproductive rights" agenda. IPPF personnel also routinely serve as

official representatives on governmental delegations to UN conferences. At

Beijing+5 last year, at least one delegation was composed mostly of IPPF

employees.

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