U.N. Secretary-General's Decision on Same-Sex Partner Benefits Sparks International Criticism

A heated debate erupted Monday at the United Nations as several countries, including Iran and the Holy See, expressed concerns over Secretary-General Kofi Annan's decision to allow benefits to U.N. staffers in same-sex relationships, citing that the decision was not consistent with U.N. rules and regulations. The decision, announced in a January bulletin, has sparked criticism from several member states, who argue that it undermines the organization's cultural and religious diversity. Annan's decision has also been contested by several national delegations, including Indonesia, Syria, Pakistan, and the Vatican, who argue that the U.N. should continue to apply national norms regarding family definitions.

Key Takeaways:

• Iran's First Secretary Alireza Tootoonchian expressed concern that Annan's decision was not consistent with U.N. rules and regulations, and that it came under the prerogative of U.N. member states to supplement or amend those rules.
• Several countries, including Indonesia, Syria, Pakistan, and the Holy See, have contested Annan's decision, citing that it undermines the organization's cultural and religious diversity.
• Canada and the European Union have defended Annan's decision, arguing that it was an administrative issue within the purview of the secretary-general as chief administrative officer.
• Turkey's Mehmet Sahin Onaner cautioned that the issue was delicate and should be treated with "caution, prudence and insight and in a spirit of harmony."
• Joseph Klee, an adviser to the Holy See mission, pointed out that Annan's decision equated domestic partnerships with a family, which is in conflict with the understanding of the family in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Statistics:

• 11 countries, including Iran, Indonesia, Syria, Pakistan, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Bangladesh, and Somalia, expressed concerns over Annan's decision.
• 3 countries, including Canada, the European Union, and Australia, defended Annan's decision.
• 6 national delegations, including the Holy See, the Vatican, and several Islamic countries, contested Annan's decision.
• 2 countries, including Turkey, expressed caution and called for a spirit of harmony in addressing the issue.

Sources:

• UPI, "Catholic and Islamic criticism targets UN secretary-general's same-sex partner benefits decision."
• United Nations, "Bulletin on Human Resources Management."
• Reuters, "Turkey: Delicate issue, caution, prudence and insight and in a spirit of harmony."