International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has called upon its European allies to put pressure on European governments to ratify sexual rights for children. In a memo sent to IPPF contacts in the European Union, IPPF also warns of the anticipated effectiveness of "right-wing governments and groups" at the September UN Special Session on Children. IPPF criticizes the activities of pro-family groups at the preparatory meetings for the Special Session, and worries that the final document that emerges in September will not establish sweeping enough reproductive rights for children.

The memo reveals that IPPF is particularly angry at the presence of pro-life non- governmental organizations (NGOs) at the UN. "Indeed, during the recent Preparatory Committee meeting, a number of representatives from right-wing organizations were present. Furthermore, they were more disruptive than ever before," wrote Karin Helsecke of the IPPF European Network, who is the author of the memo.

The principal point of the memo is that IPPF believes parents are the potential enemies of children's rights. The memo says, "Right-wing governments and groups are attempting to insert language in the outcome documents that would strengthen parental authority and control to the detriment of established children's rights. For instance, they are calling for language to be included to the effect that HIV/AIDS counseling for children and adolescents would only be available with the 'knowledge of parents', and generally oppose providing information, education and services to adolescents with respect to their sexual and reproductive health and rights, without parental consent. Clearly, the adoption of such language must be fought against"

IPPF, the largest abortion provider in the world, is one of the most influential NGOs at the UN. At the UN, IPPF enjoys 'category one' consultative status, which means that it works in close conjunction with UN agencies, including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank. Some UN observers believe this status implies UN endorsement of IPPF's "reproductive rights" agenda. IPPF personnel also routinely serve as official representatives on governmental delegations to UN conferences. At Beijing+5 last year, at least one delegation was composed mostly of IPPF employees.