Tonga defends not ratifying UN women's convention

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Updated September 25, 2009 17:25:27

The Tongan government has defended itself against criticism from women's groups for not ratifying a United Nations convention outlawing discrimination against women. The convention, known as CEDAW, was rejected by Tonga's parliament by 18 votes to 1 with 4 abstentions. The government says it already implements most of the provisions in the convention, but has reservations about a few aspects, which is why it couldn't adopt it in full. Lopeti Senituli, spokesman for Tonga's prime minister, Fred Sevele says that if CEDAW had been ratified, it could have torn Tongan society apart.

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Lopeti Senituli, spokesman for Tonga's prime minister, Fred Sevele

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