Posted on 11/10/2004 6:40:46 AM PST by NYer
GENEVA, November 9, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) concluded a review on Poland's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), demanding that the mostly-Catholic nation "liberalize" its abortion laws. The UN committee composed of 18 UN human rights "experts" from various countries met with Polish officials on October 27 and 28, making its observations and recommendations on November 4.
While, the UN itself and the ICCPR specifically does not officially promote abortion, both the organization and the committee enforcing the ICCPR have often been criticized for meddling in the contentious issue. The November 4 statement of the UNHRC is particularly blunt in demanding Poland legalize abortion. "The State Party should liberalize its legislation and practice on abortion," it said.
The Committee reiterated its "deep concern about restrictive abortion laws in Poland" and also pushed contraception and sex-education. "The State party should assure the availability of contraceptives and free access to family planning services and methods. The Ministry of Education should ensure that schools include accurate and objective sexual education in their curricula," said the report.
The UNHRC also addressed the politically hot topic of discrimination on the basis of "sexual orientation." The report stated, "The Committee is concerned that the right of sexual minorities not to be discriminated against is not fully recognised, and that discriminatory acts and attitudes against persons on the ground of sexual orientation are not adequately investigated and punished." The committee demanded that "The State Party should provide appropriate training to law enforcement and judicial officials in order to sensitise them to the rights of sexual minorities. Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation should be specifically prohibited in Polish law."
Lech Kowalewski, spokesman for the Polish Federation of Pro-life Movements told LifeSiteNews.com that the report was a "UN attack on the sovereignty of Poland." Kowalewski is concerned that the UN report may influence the Polish government to adopt a pro-abortion bill which is under consideration (See LifeSiteNews.com coverage of the bill http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/oct/04101802.html )
Abortion supporters in the Polish Parliament welcomed the UN demands. "These regulations have to be changed but that needs serious discussion," Cezary Mizejewski, secretary of state at the Social Affairs Ministry, told Reuters Monday. "It is good that we have (the U.N.) report and it will reopen this discussion. We cannot keep to the old view that everything is fine and just close our eyes," he said.
However, Anna Sobecka, a parliamentarian from the Polish League of Families remained firm. "Abortion should be completely outlawed ... Abortion is manslaughter, it's murder," she said. "What is a baby, even one created by rape, guilty of that we commit him to death?"
The members of the UNHCR and their countries of origin are: Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia); Nisuke Ando (Japan); Prafullachandra Natwarlal Bhagwati (India); Alfredo Castillero Hoyos (Panama); Christine Chanet (France); Franco Depasquale (Malta); Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo (Benin); Walter Kälin (Switzerland); Ahmed Tawfik Khalil (Egypt); Rajsoomer Lallah (Mauritius); Rafael Rivas Posada (Colombia); Sir Nigel Rodley (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland); Martin Scheinin (Finland); Ivan Shearer (Australia); Hipolito Solari-Yrigoyen (Argentina); Ruth Wedgwood (United States of America); Roman Wieruszewski (Poland); and Maxwell Yalden (Canada).
See the UN press release on the proceedings:
http://www.unog.ch/news2/documents/newsen/ct04020e...
LifeSiteNews.com today reports on a disturbing Nov. 4 United Nations Human Rights Committee statement that attempts to bully Poland into legalizing abortion and implementing very liberal policies on sex education, contraception and homosexuality.
Ping!
And my Dem buddies tell me they aren't the ones trying to shove their views down others' throats. Funny how often "liberalize" translates to "Do like we say or else".
Sounds like they borrowed the agenda from the Department of Education here at home.
Congress needs to stop spending our tax dollars on the United Nations (among many other things).
Damn the UN to the 8th ring of hell.
Isn't it a bit odd that this committee has not addressed Africa on the same issue- I have read that only two nations in Africa offer legal abortion. Africa would seem to be an entire continent of undesirabley socially repressive laws....any bets why the UN will never "go there"?
I think it's time for the UN to be disbanded.
My reply would be "Fu*k You" in both Polish and UN.
When it comes to the UN or anything else,
just read my tagline--
The Pope will hear about this, I'm sure. Maybe it will tamper his enthusiasm for world government.
Temper or dampen?
"I really wish that the President would just tell the UN to stick it where the sun don't shine."
Wait...isn't that what the UN is telling the Poles they have to legalize?
What kind of power does the U.N. think it has???
Someone needs to set them straight, and get them out of the U.S.
These people are sick. They won't lift a finger to remove a guy like Saddam, but they don't have a problem with killing babies.
Screw the U.N. scumbags.
Lol!
Another reason for the U.S. to get out of the UN and to kick it out of our country.
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