A bitter debate over proposed WHO recognition of a non-profit center for reproductive health rights, erupted in full force at the WHO Executive Board on Monday – after a tumultuous week of the World Health Assembly where member states largely skirted the increasingly contentious issue of sexual and reproductive health rights.
The proposal by the WHO Secretariat the US-based Center for Reproductive Rights be designated as a non-state actor in “official relations” with WHO – drew fierce opposition from member state blocs of the Eastern Mediterranean and African region – with Qatar threatening to escalate the issue and potentially the criteria for admitting non-state actors into official relations to the World Health Assembly if the WHO recognition of official relations with the organization is approved by the EB.
Qatar, speaking on behalf of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which extends from Tunisia to Afghanistan, also rejected a compromise proposal by WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to admit the Center on a one-year trial basis – pitched by the DG as the deadlocked session drew to a close, and postponing a decision until Tuesday.
“We are against the introduction of official relations with the Center for Reproductive Rights, with all means give the controversial concepts they promote. And regardless of the decision of the esteemed executive members in this regard, we will seek further discussions on this matter within the wider quora of the WHA,” said Qatar’s representative.
His remarks were echoed by Egypt, Tunisia, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, Yemen and Senegal, speaking on behalf of 47 African member states, as well as the Russian Federation.