Explanation of Position on Reproductive Health Issues

The United States is pleased to join consensus on this document with the following Explanation of Position.

We reiterate that the United States is firmly committed to the empowerment of women and the promotion of women’s fullest enjoyment of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We have devoted substantial monetary and human resources towards programs and activities to eliminate violence against women, including trafficking of women and children; increase access to health care, education, and economic opportunities; empower women in conflict situations; provide protection and assistance to refugee women and internally displaced persons; increase women’s political participation; and ensure equality and non-discrimination under the law and in practice.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action express important political goals that the United States endorses. We reaffirm the goals, objectives, and commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action based on several understandings. We understand these documents constitute an important policy framework that does not create international legal rights or legally binding obligations on states under international law.

During the 2005 meeting of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), there was international consensus that the Beijing documents create no new international rights, including a right to abortion, and the CSW Chairperson confirmed this understanding.

Our reaffirmation of the goals, objectives, and commitments of these documents does not constitute a change in the position of the United States with respect to treaties we have not ratified.

The United States fully supports the principle of voluntary choice regarding maternal and child health and family planning. We have stated clearly and on many occasions, consistent with the ICPD, that we do not recognize abortion as a method of family planning, nor do we support abortion in our reproductive health assistance.

The United States understands that there is international consensus that the terms "reproductive health services" and "reproductive rights" do not include abortion or constitute support, endorsement, or promotion of abortion or the use of abortifacients.

The United States understands that reference to the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the use of the phrase "reproductive health," do not create any rights and cannot be interpreted to constitute support, endorsement, or promotion of abortion.

The United States supports the treatment of women who suffer injuries or illnesses caused by legal or illegal abortion, including, for example post-abortion care, and does not place such treatment among abortion-related services.

The United States emphasizes the value of comprehensive prevention strategies to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. This approach employs population-specific interventions. These highlight abstinence for youth and other unmarried persons, including delay of sexual debut for youth; mutual faithfulness and partner reduction for sexually active adults; and correct and consistent use of condoms by those whose behavior places them at risk for transmitting or becoming infected with HIV. We support interventions that are informed by, and responsive to, local needs, local epidemiology, and distinctive social and cultural patterns, as well as coordinated with HIV/AIDS strategies of host governments.

It is essential to recognize the rights, duties, and responsibilities of parents and other persons legally responsible for adolescents to provide, in a manner consistent with the evolving capabilities of the adolescent, appropriate direction and guidance on sexual and reproductive matters, education, and other aspects of children’s lives for which parents have the primary responsibility.

The United States understands that nothing in this document creates any rights and cannot be interpreted to constitute support, endorsement or promotion of abortion.

We request that this Explanation of Position be included for the record in the report of this meeting. Thank you.