Page 1 of 1

Reproductive Rights

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:15 pm
by JCasto
Model United Nations --- Reproductive Rights
Work: October 28, 2009
Debate: November 11, 2009


Discussion of reproductive rights, from our American perspective, likely brings to mind the perennial abortion debate. However, throughout the world, "reproductive rights" encompasses so much more than that -- access to contraception, birth control, family planning, proper health facilities, education, nutrition, and protection from gender-based discriminatory actions. According to the World Health Organization, "Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence."

What must be taken into consideration, however, it that reproductive rights are not just women's rights... they are human rights. Currently, NGOs, civil servants, and experts working in international organizations have attempted to strengthen the inexorable link between the two. Reproductive rights began to appear as a subset of human rights in the 1968 Proclamation of Teheran, which states: "Parents have a basic right to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and a right to adequate education and information in this respect."

Later on, these were reaffirmed and broadened with the 1994 Cairo Programme of Action: "Reproductive rights embrace certain human rights that are already recognized in national laws, international human rights documents and other relevant United Nations consensus documents. These rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. It also includes the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence as expressed in human rights documents. In the exercise of this right, they should take into account the needs of their living and future children and their responsibilities towards the community."

Similarly, Amnesty International has argued that the realisation of reproductive rights is linked with the realisation of a series of recognised human rights, including the right to health, the right to freedom from discrimination, the right to privacy, and the right not to be subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

However, not all states have acepted the inclusion of reproductive rights in the body of internationally recognized human rights. At the Cairo Conference, for instance, Ecuador stated, "With regard to the Programme of Action of the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and laws of Ecuador and the norms of international law, the delegation of Ecuador reaffirms, inter alia, the following principles embodied in its Constitution: the inviolability of life, the protection of children from the moment of conception, freedom of conscience and religion, the protection of the family as the fundamental unit of society, responsible paternity, the right of parents to bring up their children and the formulation of population and development plans by the Government in accordance with the principles of respect for sovereignty. Accordingly, the delegation of Ecuador enters a reservation with respect to all terms such as "regulation of fertility", "interruption of pregnancy", "reproductive health", "reproductive rights" and "unwanted children", which in one way or another, within the context of the Programme of Action, could involve abortion."

However, many concerns have been addressed. Yet the matter is unresolved. In two preparatory meetings for the ICPD+10 in Asia and Latin America, the United States, under the George W. Bush Administration, was the only nation opposing the ICPD's Programme of Action. And many nations -- especially the more conservative ones -- are against the idea of "reproductive rights," based on connotations with "abortion rights."

Nevertheless, we must overcome our differences and produce a resolution that reaffirms women's rights and seeks to broaden every state's interpretation of such. We must ensure that governments are held accountable for their discriminatory actions and are working diligently to improve the health of their citizens. We must implement a 21st century policy.

P.S.: Not having research is unacceptable. I provided you ample resources below. Research your country's position and get crackin'.

LINKS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproductive_rights
http://reproductiverights.org/
http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womrepro.htm
http://www.un.org/popin/icpd/newslett/9 ... oreps.html
http://www.dirittiumani.donne.aidos.it/ ... a_engl.pdf

Note: Reproductive rights, being human rights, are also men's rights...
http://www.fhi.org/en/RH/Pubs/Network/v ... 183ch2.htm

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:12 pm
by bromano
People, please start some discussion on this topic before the actual debate session. The Resolutions should be up by tonight, which gives us 2 weeks to start debate. It is much easier to walk into a meeting with a debate already underway. Even if you only have like 5 minutes, you can type a good response to something that someone else wrote. Just try to be involved. It takes some courage, and some research, but it becomes easier. Good luck guys.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:22 pm
by egagliardi
Resolution 2-1
Sponsers: Honduras, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Austria
Signatories: Bahamas, Switzerland, Sudan, Slovakia

Acknowledging a rise of unwanted pregnancies
Recognizing of the controversies of providing contraception
Stressing the importance of education
Cognizant of the danger of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the United Nations Assembled:
1.Urges education for citizens about:
a.Abstinence
b.Contraception
c.The dangers of STIs,
2.Recommends the construction of safe, Free Clinics to offer alternatives for citizens;
3.Calls upon NGOs to provide medication for STIs;
4.Encouragesthat nations will share information about the creation of new vaccines to combat STIs;
5.Condemns female and male genital mutilation for any purposes.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:10 pm
by VSharma
Resolution 2-2
Sponsors: Italy, Turkey, Japan, Russia, Andorra, (The Embassy of Chris)

Supporting the message that views of abortion and contraception will vary between various nations
Taking into consideration the fact that citizens of multiple nations are not thoroughly taught sexual education
Affirming the notion that men and women are equal when referring to reproductive rights

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the United Nations Assembled:
1. Requests that beliefs opposing discrimination should be written in every constitution if not already done so.
2. Recommends that nations improve sexual education on various aspects of reproductive rights by:
a) Instituting after-school sessions for teenagers, and provides separate sessions for adults, if necessary
b) Educational programs should cover parent-child communication, family planning, moral beliefs, and adequate use of contraception, harm of STIs, abstinence.
3. Directs the use of NGOs toward suitable contraceptive measures to suit the sensitivity towards abortion by establishing local forums to instruct viewers on accurate guidance for natural family planning (examining a lady’s menstrual cycle in order to avert sexual intercourse when she is fertile)
4. Calls upon NGOs for:
a) The distribution of condoms, spermicides, diaphragms, and birth control bills to nations that are in accord with contraception
b) Resolving the demand of medical treatment by issuing task sharing/ task shifting. This is the use of less trained medical assistants who provide identical services of specialists in times of shortage of medical aid.
5. Condemns actions that violate reproductive rights which include:
a) Sexual coercion
b) Denial of the right to reproduce such as:
i. Sterilization
ii. Birth limitation

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:15 pm
by VSharma
If anyone has any suggestions for the resolution, post your opinon on the forum. We want various opinions to improve the resolution and make it the best it can be. Also, if you want to be a signatory of Resolution 2-2, write it on the forums.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:21 pm
by SRaghavan
Resolution 2-3

Sponsors: Canada, Norway, Spain
Signatories: Portugal

Recognizing that as of the Tehran Act, parents have the basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children ;

Concerned that such rights are not being respected universally;

Taking into account the inadequacy of sexual education and awareness in several nations;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the United Nations Assembled:

Section One: Urges nations to take steps to liberalize various aritifical contraceptives;

Section Two: Further requests the nations to facilitate the actions of NGO's (non-governmental organizations) to acheive the following goals:

A. Promoting education and comprehension regarding reproductive rights and reproductive health for both
men and women

B. Enabling the poor and less priveleged individuals, especially women, to have proper access to medical facilities,
especially those serving prenatal care and pregnancies

Section Three: Encourages the nations of the world to collectively cooperate in providing medical and educational opportunities to the disadvantages in areas lacking sufficient reproductive education/freedom

Section Four: Condemns genital mutilation as a practice inconsistent and thereby incompatible with human dignity, human rights, and individual worth.

Section 5: Implementing advanced measures to protect neglected children, such as orphans, and improve adoption services and facilities.


(p.s. very sorry for being so late; i was sick and really busy but hopefully everything is all good now :0)

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:34 pm
by VSharma
with three resolutions, how do we do the pro and con speaking time? do we have one pro speaker and two con speakers?

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:14 am
by gotrimski
We have to combine them to make only two. Get combinin'.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:59 am
by EWang
VSharma wrote:with three resolutions, how do we do the pro and con speaking time? do we have one pro speaker and two con speakers?
If it's not possible to combine the resolutions (which I really don't see as the case for this topic), we could always have one pro and one con speaker for each of the resolutions. However, for the sake of time, debating three resolutions can be difficutl.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:21 am
by VSharma
Turkey would like to propose a combination of resolutions 2-2 and 2-3 by adding the following sections from 2-3 to 2-2:

Section 4: Condemns genital mutilation as a practice inconsistent and thereby incompatible with human dignity, human rights, and individual worth.
Section 5: Implementing advanced measures to protect neglected children, such as orphans, and improve adoption services and facilities.

The rest of resolution 2-3 is already covered in 2-2
Are the other sponsors of 2-2 and sponsors of 2-3 in accord or agreement with this proposal?

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:37 pm
by BeWang
Resolution 2-2
Sponsors: Italy, Turkey, Japan, Russia, Andorra, (The Embassy of Chris)

Supporting the message that views of abortion and contraception will vary between various nations
Taking into consideration the fact that citizens of multiple nations are not thoroughly taught sexual education
Affirming the notion that men and women are equal when referring to reproductive rights

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the United Nations Assembled:
1. Requests that beliefs opposing discrimination should be written in every constitution if not already done so.
2. Recommends that nations improve sexual education on various aspects of reproductive rights by:
a) Instituting after-school sessions for teenagers, and provides separate sessions for adults, if necessary
b) Educational programs should cover parent-child communication, family planning, moral beliefs, and adequate use of contraception, harm of STIs, abstinence.
3. Directs the use of NGOs toward suitable contraceptive measures to suit the sensitivity towards abortion by establishing local forums to instruct viewers on accurate guidance for natural family planning (examining a lady’s menstrual cycle in order to avert sexual intercourse when she is fertile)
4. Calls upon NGOs to:
a) Distribute condoms, spermicides, diaphragms, and birth control pills to nations that do not have moral compunctions about contraception
b) resolve the demand for medical treatment by issuing task sharing/ task shifting, otherwise known as use of less trained medical assistants who provide identical services of specialists in times of shortage of medical aid.
c) Enable the poor and less priveleged individuals, especially women, to have proper access to medical facilities,
especially those serving prenatal care and pregnancies
5. Condemns actions that violate reproductive rights which include:
a) Sexual coercion
b) Denial of the right to reproduce such as:
i. Sterilization
ii. Birth limitation
c) Genital mutiliation
6. Recommends Implementation of advanced measures to protect neglected children, such as orphans, and improvement of adoption services and facilities.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:22 pm
by SRaghavan
I am fine with Bert's version that has combined 2-2 and 2-3.

However, please add the following section:

Enabling the poor and less priveleged individuals, especially women, to have proper access to medical facilities,
especially those serving prenatal care and pregnancies


Thanks

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:49 pm
by EWang
So to clear up any confusion, here are the two resolutions that we have:

Resolution 2-1
Sponsers: Honduras, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Austria
Signatories: Bahamas, Switzerland, Sudan, Slovakia

Acknowledging a rise of unwanted pregnancies
Recognizing of the controversies of providing contraception
Stressing the importance of education
Cognizant of the danger of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the United Nations Assembled:
1.Urges education for citizens about:
a.Abstinence
b.Contraception
c.The dangers of STIs,
2.Recommends the construction of safe, Free Clinics to offer alternatives for citizens;
3.Calls upon NGOs to provide medication for STIs;
4.Encourages that nations will share information about the creation of new vaccines to combat STIs;
5.Condemns female and male genital mutilation for any purposes.


Resolution 2-2
Sponsors: Italy, Turkey, Japan, Russia, Andorra, (The Embassy of Chris)

Supporting the message that views of abortion and contraception will vary between various nations
Taking into consideration the fact that citizens of multiple nations are not thoroughly taught sexual education
Affirming the notion that men and women are equal when referring to reproductive rights

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the United Nations Assembled:
1. Requests that beliefs opposing discrimination should be written in every constitution if not already done so.
2. Recommends that nations improve sexual education on various aspects of reproductive rights by:
a) Instituting after-school sessions for teenagers, and provides separate sessions for adults, if necessary
b) Educational programs should cover parent-child communication, family planning, moral beliefs, and adequate use of contraception, harm of STIs, abstinence.
3. Directs the use of NGOs toward suitable contraceptive measures to suit the sensitivity towards abortion by establishing local forums to instruct viewers on accurate guidance for natural family planning (examining a lady’s menstrual cycle in order to avert sexual intercourse when she is fertile)
4. Calls upon NGOs to:
a) Distribute condoms, spermicides, diaphragms, and birth control pills to nations that do not have moral compunctions about contraception
b) resolve the demand for medical treatment by issuing task sharing/ task shifting, otherwise known as use of less trained medical assistants who provide identical services of specialists in times of shortage of medical aid.
c) Enable the poor and less priveleged individuals, especially women, to have proper access to medical facilities,
especially those serving prenatal care and pregnancies
5. Condemns actions that violate reproductive rights which include:
a) Sexual coercion
b) Denial of the right to reproduce such as:
i. Sterilization
ii. Birth limitation
c) Genital mutiliation
6. Recommends Implementation of advanced measures to protect neglected children, such as orphans, and improvement of adoption services and facilities.

Don't forget to print the resolutions out for tomorrow. We're not going to have extra copies.

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:52 pm
by EWang
I'm not exactly sure why we didn't do this earlier but we're taking speakers as well.

Resolution 2.1
Pro:
Con:

Resolution 2.2
Pro: Vaibhav
Con:

Re: Reproductive Rights

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 8:21 pm
by VSharma
for resolution 2-2, if no body else wants to speak, i will be either pro or con for resolution 2-2.