The Peking Conference's ethical perspective

Abstract

The article analyses what the predominant ethics were of the recent IV International Conference on Women, held in Peking from 4-15 September 1995. In generai, during ali the ONU Conferences, and the Peking Conference is not an exception, one refers to ethics based on an agreement between all the nations according to the principle of the "lowest common denominator''. From this premise one can understand that those who support ethics based on pragmatism and utilitarianism, and who refuse any metaphysical or religious foundation, play an important role. These currents of thought are also supported by the feminist movements, which influenced the drafting of the fina! document (Platform for Action). Through this document one can see the liberai individualism which encourages the autonomy and the self-determination of the woman, who can, for example, reach the point of denying the child in her the right to live, because it is considered part of the woman's body and, as such, subject to ber free choice. Terms such as reproductive rights, reproductive health, fertility control, sexual rights, sexual orientation were proposed during the Conference according to the logic described above. In this way, human rights are not considered rightly as universal principles founded on natural law, but rather as adaptations, advantages or privileges granted to people according to social consent and the development of the law. The Holy See, which participated in the Peking Conference from the preparatory stages, continually pointed out all its reservations, with reference to both the preparatory Document and the Platform for Action, regarding the statements which do not respood to the full respect of the principle of the inviolability of human life from the moment of conception and of the inalienability of each individual's dignity.