Fighting words

United Nations | Despite shrinking population in the developed world, a UN battle over population control goes on | Alisa Harris

Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images

NEW YORK—The entire nation of Saint Lucia has about one-fiftieth the population of New York City—160,000. You would think a tiny island country floating in the Caribbean Sea has the international clout of a mosquito, but at a United Nations Commission on Population and Development session a few weeks ago, it stood against the superpowers with a tiny but feisty group of pro-life nations and activists.

Every word in each document counts, and the pro-life contingent was concerned about a change in the language that didn't include a clear definition. The session finally backed down and returned to the original language.

Afterwards, the mission of Saint Lucia stood with countries like Malta, Ireland, and the Holy See and said they wished to emphasize that the terms "sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights" do not create any right to abortion. They took issue with the phrase "safe abortion," saying it implied that abortion was "free of medical and psychological risks." They reiterated the right not to participate in abortion, saying, "the universal right to conscience can in no way be overridden or weakened."

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May 09, 2009, Vol. 24, No. 9

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