A/CONF.171/13 English Page 143 23. The representative of the Dominican Republic submitted the following written statement: Pursuant to rule 33 of the rules of procedure of the Conference (A/CONF.171/2) the Dominican Republic joins in the general agreement on the Programme of Action. However, in accordance with its Constitution and laws and as a signatory of the American Convention on Human Rights, it fully confirms its belief that everyone has a fundamental and inalienable right to life and that this right to life begins at the moment of conception. Accordingly, it accepts the content of the terms "reproductive health", "sexual health", "safe motherhood", "reproductive rights", "sexual rights" and "regulation of fertility" but enters an express reservation on the content of these terms and of other terms when their meaning includes the concept of abortion or interruption of pregnancy. We also enter an express reservation on the term "couple" where it refers to persons of the same sex or where individual reproductive rights are mentioned outside the context of marriage and the family. These reservations also apply to all regional and international agreements which refer to these concepts. Chapters V and X The Government of the Dominican Republic wishes to place on record that during the proceedings of the Conference in general, and in particular with regard to chapters V and X, it often proved difficult to reach a consensus owing to the lack of international instruments embodying the right to the integrity of the family. Aware that by promoting the unity and integrity of the family as a natural development system we are ensuring the comprehensive, sustainable development of our communities, we propose that this right to the integrity of the family be considered by the United Nations with a view to its adoption as soon as possible. Pursuant to rule 38 of the rules of procedure, we request that this statement of reservations be included in full in the final report of the Conference. 24. The representative of Ecuador submitted the following written statement: Pursuant to rule 33 of the rules of procedure of the Conference (A/CONF.171/2), the Government of Ecuador joins in the general agreement on the Programme of Action. However, pursuant to rule 38 of the rules of procedure, we enter the following reservations for inclusion in the final report of the Conference. /...