The United States told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that it opposed references to sexual and reproductive health [1] and to “safe” abortions, pitting Washington against Britain, France and many other Western Nations.
While the United States joined its 14 council counterparts to unanimously adopt a resolution on women, peace and security, U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft raised objections to parts of the text: “We cannot accept references to ‘sexual and reproductive health,’ nor any references to ‘safe termination of pregnancy’ or language that would promote abortion or suggest a right to abortion,” she said after the vote.
“The U.N. should not put itself in a position of promoting or suggesting a right to abortion, whether it is humanitarian or development work,” said Craft, who took up her role in August.