Sir, - Congratulations to Kevin Myers for exposing the anti-family agenda of the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (An Irishman's Diary, May 25th).
Very many people in this country have been aware of the CEDAW agenda for some time, and have approached journalists in the hope of having it exposed. Granted, it is difficult for the man in the street to understand, let alone believe, that any government could sign up to a policy that strikes at the very foundation of society, i.e. the family. However, in 1985, the then Irish government did just that. The radical feminist movement demanded commitment by governments to their agenda, and our Government, along with the those of Europe as well as others, with one stroke of the pen signed up to their demands with a "yes ma'm, no ma'm, anything you ask ma'm". All of this happened without any reference to the people these governments represent.
One avenue of redemption remains for our politicians. In March, 1999, a UN working party finished drafting an Optional Protocol which is supposed to enforce greater compliance with CEDAW. Governments, including our own, who are parties to CEDAW are under pressure from feminist groups (including Amnesty International) to adopt the Optional Protocol. Let's hope the families of Ireland will be served well by our Government refusing to bow to this pressure.
Also, it is now time to question the direction the UN is going in promoting these feminist agendas. Surely the international community is entitled to ask, indeed, demand to know the names and affiliations of those who are using this once-august body to promote the destruction of that which it was formed to serve - the nations of the world. - Yours, etc.,
Olivia Connolly, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.