UN council backs Russian resolution promoting traditional values

Pat Buckley, who lobbies for SPUC at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, has sent me a report on a new, positive, development. He tells me:

"In a rare break from its long term strategy of attempting to dictate newly-conceived so called 'rights' to everyone - such as the manufactured 'right to abortion' - the UN Human Rights Council has approved a resolution tabled by the Russian Federation, entitled 'Promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms through a better understanding of traditional values of humankind'.

"The resolution which cites the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, calls for the holding of a workshop to be held in 2010 for an exchange of views on how a better understanding of traditional values of humankind underpinning international human rights norms and standards can contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

Whilst the proposers of the resolution include some strange bedfellows, its approval presents an important opportunity. "As a result of the successful resolution, a workshop on traditional values will now be held in September 2010. Submissions can be made by well-disposed governments and non-governmental organizations promoting fundamental human rights on the basis of natural law", Pat Buckley says.

Needless to say this resolution was strenuously opposed by the countries that are trying to impose their own values on mankind. The European Union, which persistently seeks to promote abortion in international forums, attempted to undermine the resolution. When this attempt failed, the EU declined to enter consensus and the resolution was put to a vote. The resolution was carried by 26 votes to 15 with 6 abstentions. (Just 47 nations out of 193 sovereign nations have a vote at the Human Rights Council.)

"It was no surprise to find the US opposing the resolution, which has renewed under Barack Obama the pro-abortion policies pursued under Bill Clinton", Pat reports.You can read the resolution text in all UN languages.

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Ghanaian cardinal should condemn condom use

It is disturbing to read that, once again, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana has failed conspicuously to condemn the use of condoms. In comments reported at the Synod for Africa, currently taking place in Rome, he speaks mainly about the ineffectiveness and inadvisability of using condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. At no time does he say that condom use is wrong - in fact, he refuses to say publicly one way or the other, repeating a line that couples must make their own decision.

Cardinal Turkson's equivocation on the issue is in stark contrast with Pope Benedict's comments on the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae (Pope Paul VI's encyclical which condemned the use of contraception as intrinsically wrong):

“The truth expressed in Humanae Vitae does not change; rather, in light of the new scientific findings, its teaching becomes even more up to date and induces reflection upon its intrinsical value.”

After 36 years of working in the pro-life movement, I am convinced that the teaching of Humanae Vitae on the inseparable connection between the unitive significance and the procreative significance of the marriage act is of fundamental importance for the future of the family and for the sanctity of human life throughout the world. Furthermore, I believe that what is happening today to the family and to the sanctity of human life in Europe provides overwhelming evidence of the prophetic importance of Pope Paul VI’s words:

“The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life." Humanae Vitae, 11

I have explained previously why, to my mind, it’s quite clear that countless human lives have been destroyed as a result of the rejection of Humanae Vitae and its teaching on the wrongfulness of the separation of the unitive significance and procreative significance of the conjugal act, not least through birth control and IVF practices.
 
Cardinal Turkson must come off the fence and condemn all use of condoms.

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If we want a culture of death to continue to be imposed in Europe, let's back Tony Blair as EU president

It appears that a majority of the British public, as well as Tory party leaders, are opposed to Tony Blair becoming European Union (EU) president.

Whatever their reasons for opposing Tony Blair, it's important for we Europeans to understand, that if we want a culture of death to continue to be imposed in our countries, then Tony Blair is the man to appoint as EU president.

History shows that, as a British member of parliament and prime minister, Tony Blair has been one of the world's major architects of the culture of death. Since becoming a Catholic, he has refused to repudiate the anti-life policies and legislation he pursued, and succeeded in enacting, throughout his political career. These include:

• voting for abortion up to birth three times;
• personally endorsing his government's policy of supplying abortion and abortifacient birth control drugs and devices to schoolgirls as young as 11 without parental knowledge or consent; 
• his government’s commitment to the promotion of abortion on demand as a universal fundamental human right;
• personally championing destructive experiments on human embryos; and 
• his government's legislation which allows, and in certain circumstances requires, doctors to starve and dehydrate to death vulnerable patients.

I must add that, when so much is at stake for Europe, it really was indefensible of L'Osservatore Romano to have published such an effusive double-page interview with Tony Blair. Countless human lives continue to be destroyed as a direct result of the policies he has championed - and refuses to repudiate. Countless parents in Britain are robbed of their inalienable rights and responsibilities by the secret abortion policy for schoolchildren he championed as prime minister - and refuses to repudiate. Unlike St. Paul, Tony Blair has had no road to Damascus conversion. Surely it's not appropriate for the Vatican's semi-official newspaper to risk giving an impression of carrying out public relations for a committed anti-life politician who is well known to be seeking high office?

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European Humanist Federation launches attack on parents' "power" to protect their children

The European Humanist Federation has launched an attack on the right of parents to protect their children from state-run sex and relationships education.

David Pollock (pictured), the President of the European Humanist Federation, speaking last week at a human rights meeting organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), complained that parents were going far beyond the "narrow range" of cases of conscientious objection allowed by OSCE guidelines.

Referring to parents' objections to sex and relationships education, he said: " ... children must be protected from damage to their education or health: there must be limits to their parents' power over them ... ".

Tragically, severe limits on parents' inalienable right and duty to protect their children from state sponsored sex and relationship education are widely imposed in Britain - including the provision of abortion and contraception without parental knowledge or authority. What's even worse is that Catholic Church authorities in England and Wales are complicit in their imposition.

This is not a conspiracy against parents. A conspiracy involves an evil plan formulated in secret. Those attacking or undermining the right and duty of parents to protect their children are doing so quite openly - whether they are members of the European Humanist Federation, such as David Pollock, government officials, or church officials, such as the Catholic Education Service. The evil that they do must be resisted quite openly by parents. Supportive groups - such as SPUC's Safe at School - are there to help parents every step of the way.


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"Never give up!" Vote postponed on pro-abortion report in Council of Europe

Earlier this week SPUC called on pro-lifers throughout Europe to lobby their delegates to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Yesterday they were due to debate a radical pro-abortion report promoting abortion as a means of family planning and population control in developing countries.

According to the European Centre for Law Justice, (ECLJ) which produced a masterly briefing rebutting the pro-abortion report, "the vote was put off because it was believed the resolution would not have had a majority of support".

They say:

"Mrs McCafferty, Rapporteur of a pro-abortion recommendation, has delayed in presenting her text to a vote of the Parliamentary Assembly of PACE. She asked for a delay, after being surprised by the sudden and growing opposition within the public and the members of the Assembly."

Congratulations to the European Centre for Law and Justice, to our supporters and to all pro-life lobbyists throughout Europe who worked together on this matter. No doubt Mrs McCafferty will try again and we must all be ever-vigilant. But as I have said before: Pro-life lobbying works. Never give up!

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Order SPUC's new mini-petition flyer on proposed TV abortion adverts

SPUC was encouraged last month by the delay to the consultation on allowing abortion adverts on TV because of the massive public opposition to the proposals.

We are encouraged but we're not complacent! The abortion industry worldwide demands constant vigilance on the part of everyone who cares about civilised values - such as respect for the right to life, enshrined in international law, and care and compassion for women harmed by abortion.

The battle against these dangerous proposals continues. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has produced a new leaflet (pictured) with the purpose of boosting the petition. The leaflet contains a mini petition so that people who support our stance can join the campaign and collect signatures from their family and friends, if they wish. You can order our new leaflet - 50, 100, 200 etc - and copies of the petition, by writing to me at johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk

Lifting the ban on abortion adverts on TV would have a profound impact on the welfare of women and on unborn children:
• The proposals threaten to further commercialise the killing of unborn children.
• It could suggest that there were no serious adverse effect of abortion on women's physical and mental health.
• Abortion remains a criminal offence on the statute book. Advertising of illegal procedures is contrary to the public interest, advertising codes, and the law.
• Only those agencies with sufficient financial resources would be able to advertise. Abortion providers can generate financial resources for advertising by charging more for abortions. Most pro-life advice services charge nothing. Thus there will be a disproportionate opportunity for abortion providers to advance their cause.
• Most people want the numbers of abortions to decrease, not increase. However, adverts for abortion services would promote abortion, and thereby increase its incidence.

SPUC's petition to the Prime Minister provides an important opportunity to demonstrate to him, in the run-up to a general election, the strength of public feeling against such a change to advertising regulation. The closing date for the petition has been extended to 30 November to give supporters more time to gather signatures. Please do all you can to gather signatures at churches, on the high street, at retail parks and at popular bus and train stations. The more signatures we gather, the greater are our chances of stopping this dreadful proposal.

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Mahatma Gandhi opposed abortion and contraception

Today is the 140th birthday of the late Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian civil rights leader. President Barack Obama has said today that: "We must renew our commitment to live his ideals and to celebrate the dignity of all human beings." The Telegraph reports that Mr Obama "has been given a book of Gandhi quotes to mark the anniversary."

Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, reminds me that at the pro-abortion Women Deliver conference in London in 2007, one of the Indian speakers offered the thought of Gandhi as an inspiration for the anti-life lobby's work. Anthony asks rhetorically: "Surely this man was aware that Gandhi condemned both abortion and contraception?" The anti-life lobby don't let facts get in the way of a good story!

Although Gandhi was, sad to say, in favour of euthanasia (and voluntary sterilisation), Gandhi wrote extensively against contraception* - in fact, he debated against Margaret Sanger, the founder of the worldwide abortion movement. Here are some of his best quotes:

• "It seems to me clear as daylight that abortion would be a crime." (quoted in Krishna Kripalani's "All Men Are Brothers: The Life and Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi")
• "If it is contended that birth–control is necessary for the nation because of over-population, I dispute the proposition. It has never been proved. In my opinion, by a proper land system, better agriculture and a supplementary industry, this country is capable of supporting twice as many people as there are in it today."
• "Population...regulation or restriction by artificial methods is a calamity of the first grade, whether we know it or not."
• "This little globe of ours is not a toy of yesterday. It has not suffered from the weight of over-population through its age of countless millions. How can it be that the truth has suddenly dawned upon some people that it is in danger of perishing of shortage of food unless the birth-rate is checked through the use of contraceptives."
• "Artificial methods are like putting a premium upon vice. They make man and woman reckless."
• "Man easily capitulates when sin is presented in the garb of virtue, and that is what Marie Stopes and others are doing."
• "In my opinion, it is an insult to the fair sex to put up her case in support of birth–control by artificial methods. As it is, man has sufficiently degraded her for his lust, and artificial methods, no matter how well-meaning the advocates may be, will still further degrade her."
• "I urge the advocates of artificial methods to consider the consequences."
• "I know what havoc secret vice has played among school boys and school girls. The introduction of contraceptives under the name of science and the imprimatur of known leaders of society has intensified the complication and made the task of reformers who work for purity of social life well-nigh impossible."
• "Contraceptives are an insult to womanhood."

*The manufacturers of contraceptive drugs and devices acknowledge that their products may, as one of their modes of action, kill a developing embryo by preventing him or her from implanting in the lining of the womb. The population control movement and western governments promote contraception claiming that it reduces the incidence of abortion. Professor David Paton, who holds a chair in Economics at Nottingham University, has said: "I find no evidence that greater access to family planning has reduced underage conceptions or abortions. Indeed, there is some evidence that greater access is associated with an increase in underage conceptions..."

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Suicidal and vulnerable people abandoned because of Mental Capacity Act

SPUC Pro-Life has commented on the tragic death of Kerrie Wooltorton (pictured) and warned that vulnerable, suicidal patients like her are being abandoned because of the Mental Capacity Act.

Anthony Ozimic of SPUC Pro-Life commented: "If Kerrie Wooltorton's doctors decided not to treat her because her intention was suicide, they assisted her suicide. Assisting suicide is still a crime, and a prosecution should be considered in this case to highlight the perverse state of the law. It appears from press reports that doctors either did not have regard for the concerns of M/s Wooltorton's relatives, or that they ignored their wishes. Her death occurred before the Mental Capacity Act came into force, yet it is being used to justify denying her right to live.

"The coroner's verdict in this case is disgraceful. It sends out the message that if you are depressed and attempt suicide, doctor's need not treat you. Depressed people are being officially treated as worthless. It is clear that M/s Wooltorton's relatives regarded her as having committed suicide while suffering from depression.

"At the time the Mental Capacity Act was passed, SPUC Pro-Life said Parliament should reject it because suicidal patients would be abandoned. The government dismissed our concerns and Kerrie Wooltorton is dead as a result. The Mental Capacity Act is a charter for euthanasia by neglect. Gordon Brown and David Cameron claim they're against assisted suicide. They should now agree to scrap the Mental Capacity Act before more vulnerable people die."

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