by Klaus M. Leisinger

The right to the propagation of life, such as the right to life itself, is a human right. All people are entitled to this invulnerable and inalienable right based on their individual dignity. Every person is entitled to human rights’ protection, independent from one’s social standing, one’s religion or other criteria for social differences – simply because one was born a human.

Despite the universal validity of human rights, in many countries, their interpretation and practical implementation still depends on specific political, religious and cultural characteristics.  This has consequences for what parents will be allowed and expecting, in combination with population policy.

The invasion of the government in people’s private lives has to always be met with mistrust. When political and other sanctions decrease or even repeal people’s freedoms to decide upon the number of children they want to have does not only violate norms, but also infringes on human rights.

In addition, such an approach misses its target. Population policy that is not based on majority approval has few chances for lasting success. Whereas an ethically, legitimized population policy is based on the approval of enlightened people with freedom of choice, contraceptive means and other measures, involuntary programs must face permanent pressure. If pressure decreases, success is limited. Furthermore, governmental pressure and sanctions, like the ones used in the past (e.g. India in the 1970s), have led to long term damage related to the idea of family planning.

Requirements for an appropriate and responsible population policy are:

• prevention of unwanted pregnancies and the associated consequences, especially related to the health and development chances of women and mothers;
• prevention or at least a decrease in abortions as a solution to unwanted pregnancies;
• creation of an effective health care delivery system, as well as the improvement of the national health;
• prevention or slowdown of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS;
• establishment of fair gender relations through the improvement of the societal standing of women, as well as,
• development of reciprocal understanding and active partnerships between men and women, and the generations.

Stand: August 2011
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