(Washington, DC) "The Bush administration is misrepresenting America by trying to impose President Bush's personal religious views internationally," said American Humanist Association Executive Director Tony Hileman.

Despite the fact that abortion is legal in America, U.S. representatives pushed for anti-abortion measures throughout the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference attended by thirty-two nations. In the opening days of the conference they demanded there be "No reference to 'services' in relationship to reproductive health," objected to use of the term "reproductive rights," and tried to remove references to adolescents, arguing that it might promote teenage sexual activity.

A Bush administration statement issued at the conference makes clear the extent of this unpopular view: "The United States supports the sanctity of life from conception to natural death."

Hileman responded, "Bush is stepping over the bounds of appropriate separation between religion and government when he puts forth his religious interpretations as U.S. foreign policy. The public at large--especially we Humanists--are not supportive of this extreme view that protected human life begins at conception. Not only is there no legitimate national interest in pursuing this agenda, but it hinders existing international family planning efforts and is not supported by American law."

The international community soundly rejected U.S. demands, which likely will be used to excuse continued lack of support of reasonable population programs. The delegation from the Philippines was particularly taken aback. The Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development Foundation expressed concerns over the U.S. position, particularly noting "the attempt of the US government to impose its own policies over other nations through a process that violates democracy and the use of threat to exhibit its power in relation to international agreements and commitments."

Hileman added, "But these aren't really America's policies. They are only those of George W. Bush and his church. Reproductive rights must be protected, not just in the United States, but internationally, particularly where countries are asking for the help such services provide. We need to stand up to these continued religiously motivated attacks on women's reproductive freedoms by the Bush administration."

--Tony Hileman