U.n. Convention On Women Is Often... (Press, 2 February 1984)

On 2 February 1984, the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Cooper, discussed the country’s consideration of ratifying the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. He stated that society has little to fear from this ratification, despite concerns voiced by various individuals and organisations. Many of these concerns stem from misunderstandings regarding the Convention's provisions and the implications of ratifying an international treaty. Mr Cooper clarified that the Convention should be interpreted through the lens of Article 1, which defines discrimination against women. The obligations outlined in Articles 2, 3, 4, and 5 must be read in the context of this definition, meaning that New Zealand would only be obliged to ensure that women are not denied their fundamental rights and freedoms. He noted that this aligns with New Zealand's longstanding commitment to eliminating discrimination, echoed in the Human Rights Commission Act. He addressed fears that the Convention could undermine societal structures, including marriage and family. According to Cooper, the Convention does not authorise same-sex marriage or equate abortion with fundamental human rights. He mentioned that marriage, as an abstract concept, is not recognised as a fundamental human right under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which specifically acknowledges marriage between men and women. Cooper also refuted claims that the Convention would diminish family roles, emphasising that it acknowledges women's contributions to family welfare and the significance of maternity within the preamble. He noted that while the Convention emphasizes women's right to work, many of its provisions were aimed at situations in other countries where women's rights are significantly limited. While acknowledging the possibility of identifying provisions that may conflict with New Zealand law or policy upon detailed review, he believed that the government could reserve its position at the time of ratification if needed. He explained that ratifying an international treaty does not automatically incorporate its articles into New Zealand law, meaning individuals could not invoke the Convention directly in New Zealand courts to contest existing laws or policies. Cooper expressed scepticism regarding the notion that ratification would significantly shift social attitudes in New Zealand. However, he highlighted the potential benefits of ratification for women in other countries where rights are less protected. The full text of his background paper on the topic, along with the Convention, is available for public access from the Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs in Wellington, free of charge.

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