SW News: Republican senators are calling on UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to denounce an International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) report that they claim "gives credence" to pedophiles while weakening measures meant to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

In the letter, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said they stand firmly against any foreign effort that seeks to undermine the well-established legal principle that children do not possess the emotional or mental maturity required to consent to sexual relations.

The letter requests the envoy’s immediate opposition to these initiatives and to revoke any funds from the US Treasury that may have directly or indirectly supported United Nations activities related to the report.

The questionable report titled ‘The 8 March Principles for a Human Rights-based Approach to Criminal Law Proscribing Conduct Associated with Sex, Reproduction, Drug Use, HIV, Homelessness and Poverty’ was presented before the UN Human Rights Council by the ICJ.

The report cautions against criminalizing consensual sexual contact regardless of factors like marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Additionally, it demands that sexual activity age restrictions be administered in a non-discriminatory manner.

"Moreover, sexual conduct involving persons below the domestically prescribed minimum age of consent to sex may be consensual, if not in law," the paper continues. In this situation, the application of the law should take into account minors' competence to consent to sexual activity, as well as their rights to an effective hearing in matters affecting them.

“The ICJ report gives credence to abhorrent pedophiles and sexual predators who claim that their vile acts should be decriminalized because children would be able to consent to sex. We must stand against any effort that undermines the existing legal protections that safeguard children from sexual predators. We hope you share these concerns, and we look forward to your swift cooperation and response," the letter stated.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network shows one in nine girls and one in 53 boys experience sexual abuse or assault by an adult. Over eight in 10 victims are girls under 18.

Rubio also said there is a rising understanding of the need to safeguard children against sexual exploitation, which has prompted many countries to raise the consent age. “This clearly shows that minors lack the mental maturity to understand the effects of sexual activity and, given this awareness, the competence to make an informed decision," Rubio stated.

Six other Republican senators have also signed the letter: Sens. Mike Lee of Utah, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Rick Scott of Florida, Steve Daines of Montana, and John Kennedy of Louisiana.

They ask Greenfield several questions, including whether the UN agreed with the report's conclusions, how much money was spent on its production by American taxpayers, and whether the United States itself objected to the results.