FROM

Amnesty International Tars Poland over Abortion Access

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) Amnesty International recently issued its 2009 survey of what it considers to be the state of human rights throughout the world. Of particular interest to social conservatives is Amnesty's continued campaign to advance a "right" to abortion globally.

In its entry on Poland, Amnesty raps the country for its alleged "Denial of access to abortion for eligible women," citing criticism that Poland received from the Human Rights Council (HRC) in May 2008. It further faulted the government for failing to implement a 2007 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Tysiac v. Poland, concerning a purported "duty to establish effective mechanisms for ensuring women have access to abortion where it is legal."

New UNFPA Annual Report Prioritizes "Reproductive Health"

By Samantha Singson

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) Last week, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its annual report for 2008, highlighting the organization's work on maternal health and its "continued efforts to ensure the universal access to reproductive health and the right of all people to decide the number and timing of their children."

Though UNFPA refuses to subject its books to an independent audit and also refuses to share specific budget reporting to its board of directors, its annual report asserts that in 2008, almost half of UNFPA's program expenses went to "reproductive health" programs, at a cost of $165.1 million, up from $146.6 million the previous year. In all five regions, more funds were spent on reproductive health initiatives than any other program.

866 UN Plaza, Suite 495
New York, New York 10017

Phone: (212) 754-5948
Fax: (212) 754-9291

1100 G Street, NW Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005

Phone: (202) 393-7002
Fax: (202) 393-7004