From kimo@pipeline.comThu Sep 7 00:54:29 1995
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 15:14:32 -0400
From: Langston James Goree VI <kimo@pipeline.com>
To: enb@igc.apc.org
Subject: ENB Vol. 14 No. 13 FWCW
EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN <enb@igc.apc.org>
PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT (IISD)<iisd@web.apc.org>
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY:
Peter Doran <foeeire@iol.ie>
Virginia Hulme
, Yang Wanhua <whyang@iisdpost.iisd.ca>
, Lynn Wagner <grund@usc.edu>
Steve Wise <swise@vps.com>.
. FRENCH TRANSLATION BY:
Mongi Gadhoum <gad@tunisia.eu.net>.
Managing Editor
Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" <kimo@pipeline.com>
A DAILY REPORT ON THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN
Vol. 14 No. 13 Thursday, 7 September 1995
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN
WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1995
Delegates met for their second day of negotiations on the
draft Platform for Action and Declaration during the third
day of the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW). By the
end of the day, four official bodies had been formed to
examine specific sections of the texts. Working Group I
examined the chapter on institutional arrangements. Working
Group II examined the sections on human rights and violence,
and conducted a first reading of the draft Declaration. In
addition, each working group has formed a contact group, one
to examine the section on health and one to examine the
Declaration. The Plenary, meeting in three sessions,
continued to hear statements under Agenda Item 8, General
Exchange of Views.
WORKING GROUP I
Working Group I was unable to meet during the morning due to
technical difficulties with the sound system. Chair Nana Ama
Yeboa (Ghana) chaired the afternoon discussion of Chapter V
(Institutional Arrangements). In paragraph 290
(institutional and behavioural change), the EU agreed to
remove the brackets, subject to the removal of a reference
to "treatment of women as sex objects." The G77/China
concurred. A number of alternatives to the bracketed section
of paragraph 293 (conference of commitments) were discussed,
including an Australian proposal that governments report
national priorities to the Conference Secretariat. The EU
offered a counter proposal, excluding the requirement to
report to the Secretariat. In paragraphs 295 (group
participation) and 298 (NGOs), brackets were removed from
the term "feminist groups." In paragraph 300 (human rights),
Canada, the EU, the US, and the G77/China agreed to remove
brackets from "human rights." In paragraph 305 (Platform and
UN system), the G77/China replaced bracketed text with a
call for the UN Agendas for Peace and Development to take
account of the FWCW Platform. Benin said the UN General
Assembly deferred a corresponding decision until the FWCW.
The EU concurred.
Delegates engaged in a lengthy debate over paragraph 309
(post in office of the S-G). The EU proposed moving the
concept to paragraph 327, which deals with action by the S-
G, and proposed changing the text to invite the S-G to
consider "designating" a high-level official in his office
to advise on gender issues. Others agreed to move it, but
many joined Benin's objection that it was too weak and
preferred calling for the "creation" of the post. The US and
Norway supported the EU proposal, with slight amendments.
The EU stated that it would agree to call for the S-G to
consider "establishing" the post, but Benin requested
further informal consultations. In paragraph 310 (UN agency
resources for Platform), the G77/China, supported by the EU,
removed brackets from "resources and support."
CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP I
The Contact Group working on Chapter IV, Section C (health)
continued work on Tuesday evening and Wednesday. In
paragraph 94 (women's right to health and equality), a
compromise formula was agreed, asserting the right of all
women to control all aspects of their health, "in
particular" their own fertility. In paragraph 95
(discrimination against girls), an informal group was formed
to discuss the reference to parental responsibility.
Brackets were removed from [unwanted] pregnancy and [unsafe
abortions], and [women's self determination]. In paragraph
96 (reproductive health defined), a proposal was made to
replace the entire paragraph with paragraphs 7.2 and 7.3 of
the ICPD Agreement. In paragraph 97 (sexual rights), a
proposal was made for deletion. The paragraph was the
subject of further negotiations. Negotiations resumed in the
evening.
WORKING GROUP II
Working Group II continued its consideration of the section
on human rights, under Chair Irene Freudenschuss (Austria).
The G77/China accepted Mexico's proposal for paragraph 230
(l) (optional protocol on CEDAW), and proposed a
reformulation of 230 (h) (implementation of CEDAW),
deleting a reference to the revision of non-conforming laws,
policies and practices. Both paragraphs are now bracket-
free.
In paragraph 232(o) (rights of human rights activists), the
Holy See proposed a reference to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (UDHR), but the EU expressed doubts. Brazil,
supported by Sri Lanka and G77/China, proposed a reference
to other human rights instruments. Cuba suggested using
language from the Vienna Declaration for the reference to
national law. Delegates accepted the new formulation with
references to: the UDHR and other human rights instruments;
the protection of national laws; NGOs and their members; and
various rights.
In the chapeau of 233 (actions to be taken), delegates
agreed to call for action by governments and NGOs. In 233(g)
(promoting education on legal and human rights), text was
amended so that education would be promoted "including"
programmes in the most widely used language.
Delegates next conducted a first reading of the draft
Beijing Declaration and identified their priorities. The EU
submitted amendments to the G77/China proposal, and stressed
the human rights of girl children and women, full
participation in decision making, and equality of women in
all policies. The G77/China, supported by many countries,
proposed that its draft serve as the basis of negotiation.
Russia supported the EU language regarding protection of all
human rights and respect for ethnic differences. Sudan said
the EU draft introduced new rights not agreed at Cairo,
including sexual rights. India stressed power sharing,
resource commitments and poverty eradication. Cyprus said
all proposed texts fall short on the issue of peace.
Senegal supported rights of women "from conception."
Slovenia said the Declaration should enlarge and recognize
women and girls' sexual and reproductive health rights. Iran
said the EU draft surpasses guidelines and that sexual and
reproductive rights do not appeal to a wide range of
audiences. The United Arab Emirate said the family should be
the main nucleus with an accent on cultural rights of women.
Nicaragua and Haiti emphasized women in poverty. Australia
said the Declaration should mark the Conference as one of
national commitments.
The Chair noted general agreement to use the G77/China
language as the basis for negotiations and established a
Contact Group under Amb. Olga Pellicer (Mexico). The Contact
Group met Wednesday afternoon and agreed to resume Thursday
after the G77/China considers the EU and other suggested
amendments to its draft.
Delegates considered Chapter IV, Section E (armed conflict)
during the afternoon session. The EU proposed a
reformulation of paragraph 132 (description of armed
conflict). The G77/China proposed lifting the brackets on
references to mutual respect of territorial integrity and
sovereignty, foreign occupation, and the violation of human
rights by all parties in conflict, and deleting references
to "universal" human rights and "other types" of conflict.
Cyprus suggested quoting the Vienna Programme for Action for
this paragraph. Ecuador suggested removing the brackets
around a reference to mutual respect of territorial
integrity and sovereignty, and deleting the reference to
"all" parties in conflicts. Malta retained brackets around
the reference to forced pregnancy. Sudan suggested adding
the language from paragraph 30 of the Vienna document. The
G77/China proposed deleting references to all parties in
armed conflict and to the consequences of armed conflict.
The Holy See suggested replacing a reference to results of
armed conflict with language from paragraph 38 of the Vienna
document. Canada supported the EU proposal, but stressed
that women and children bear the brunt of rights violations
in armed conflict.
In paragraph 134 (effects of armed conflict), the EU
suggested deleting the reference to the violation of
international humanitarian law. It was agreed. In paragraph
135 (cooperative approaches to peace and security), the EU
proposed deleting the brackets on a reference to
implementing cooperative approaches to peace and security,
and replacing "the perspective of women" with "the
participation of women." Cuba preferred "the perspective of
women." Namibia emphasized the participation of women in the
resolution of armed conflict. In paragraph 136 (consequences
of armed conflict on women), the G77/China proposed removing
brackets around references to foreign occupation and alien
domination and the consequences of armed conflict. The EU
could accept all other bracketed text upon deletion of the
reference to alien domination. Malta retained brackets on
the reference to forced pregnancy. References to alien
domination and foreign occupation remain bracketed. Canada
bracketed a reference to the consequences of rape, pending
the decision on the reference to forced pregnancy. In
paragraph 139 (military expenditure), Yemen proposed a
reference to lack of necessary social services. The EU
preferred "conflict" to "military spending." Namibia
retained the reference to military spending. Nicaragua,
supported by Cuba, proposed keeping both references, which
were accepted. Canada's proposal to use language from
paragraph 21 of the Social Summit for a reference to
excessive military spending was accepted. The EU proposed
removing brackets from a reference to peace as "an important
factor" for economic growth. Cuba preferred the wording "is
essential." Only the last sentence, referring to the
relationship between national security and peace and
economic growth, development and the empowerment of women,
remains bracketed.
In paragraph 140 (international stability), Russia proposed
references to "forced" mass migration and negative
implications of instability. Mexico, supported by the EU,
suggested deleting the paragraph. Canada proposed replacing
the reference to peace and security as "a prerequisite" with
"as important factors." In paragraph 141 (role of women in
times of conflict), the EU proposed a reference to the
contribution women make to "their" families. The Holy See
added a reference to "their" societies. Both proposals were
accepted. In 144(a) (promote equal participation), Namibia
added equitable geographical distribution and India added
participation at all levels to an EU proposal, which was
accepted with the condition that geographical distribution
would be in accordance with the UN Charter.
IN THE CORRIDORS
If the FWCW is to represent a transition from an analysis
laden to action-oriented international agenda for the
advancement of women, responses to the Australian initiative
for a "conference of commitments" are likely to become the
key indicators of substance. There is some dismay at the
resistance to the initiative from some quarters, but with
eighty delegations already promising to weigh in with fresh
initiatives, the Australian delegation and NGOs are
cautiously optimistic. Plaudits are going to Pakistan and
the UK for removing reservations to CEDAW, and Australia is
leading by example with commitments in six of the Platform's
critical areas of concern. One NGO participant underlined
the importance of the commitments with the comment that "the
real work is bringing Beijing home."
THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY
PLENARY: The general exchange of views will continue in the
Plenary, which is meeting in Hall No. 1 during morning and
afternoon sessions.
WORKING GROUP I: The Working Group is expected to meet
during an afternoon session in Hall No. 16.
CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP I: The Contact Group will
meet in Hall No. 16 during a morning session to continue
discussion on the section on health.
WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group is expected to meet
during morning and afternoon sessions in Hall No. 15. It
will commence with continued discussion of the section on
armed conflict.
CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP II: The Contact Group will
meet in Hall No. 10 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm to begin its
consideration of the draft Declaration. Look for possible
amendments from the US and others to circulate during the
day.
This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c)
<enb@igc.apc.org> is written and edited by Peter Doran
<foeeire@iol.ie>, Virginia Hulme, Yang Wanhua
<whyang@iisdpost.iisd.ca>, Lynn Wagner <grund@usc.edu> and
Steve Wise <swise@vps.com>. French translation by Mongi
Gadhoum <gad@Tunisia.EU.net>. The Managing Editor of the
Bulletin is Langston James Goree VI "Kimo"
<kimo@pipeline.com>. The sustaining donors of the Bulletin
are the International Institute for Sustainable Development
(iisd@web.apc.org), the United Nations Environment Programme
and the Pew Charitable Trusts. General support for the
Bulletin during 1995 is provided by the United Kingdom,
Switzerland, GTZ and the World Bank. Partial funding for
this volume of the Bulletin has been provided by the Ford
Foundation, CIDA, Denmark, UNFPA, the Rockefeller Foundation
and UNIFEM. The authors can be contacted in Beijing at the
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