A campaign to liberalize Rwanda’s abortion laws has met strong opposition among religious leaders in the country. Health Development Initiative-Rwanda (HDI), an NGO that organizes and promotes community-based healthcare, has launched a campaign to overturn the current law which protects the unborn with strict exceptions for life and health of the mother. Leaders of the Muslim and Christian faith communities have voiced their concerns with the initiative calling abortion murder and a sin—unethical, inhumane and against the laws of God. “We are working against it. It’s murder because after fertilisation, the foetus is considered a child. It’s also against the Christian ethics and belief,” said Archbishop of Rwanda Anglican Church, Onesphore Rwaje. Pastor Bernard Bucyana of Christian Life Assemblies in Nyarutarama pointed to scientific evidence as proof that the fetus has life and shared his own experiences with post-abortive women suffering the psychological and emotional effects of abortion. The Catholic Church has also issued a statement expressing its opposition to abortion.
In its push for decriminalization of abortion, HDI is using tired pro-abortion arguments that legal abortion saves women’s lives. History has documented the measures that have reduced maternal mortality in developed countries— access to pre and post-natal care, emergency obstetric care, assisted childbirth, safe blood, antibiotics, clean water and proper nutrition. Studies released last year showed the rates of maternal mortality going down around the world, with the lowest rates of deaths appearing in the countries with pro-life laws- Poland, Ireland and Chile. Nevertheless, HDI sponsored a workshop promoting the legalization of abortion as a way for Rwanda to reach maternal mortality and reach Millennium Development Goal 5, reduction in maternal mortality. Radical women’s rights groups, human rights groups and youth organizations have joined the pro-abortion campaign and its efforts to lobby both chambers of the Rwandan Parliament to legalize abortion.
A recent visitor to Johannesburg, the largest city in Africa, was shocked by the display of advertisements for abortion claiming ‘Quick same day abortion’, ‘Free Pain Abortion’ and ‘Abort Cheaply’. Abortion on demand for the first trimester is legal in South Africa resulting from the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1996, the most liberal in Africa. The view expressed in opinion piece Abortion No Big Deal in The Citizen illustrates the glaring prominence of abortion in everyday life in South Africa, where abortion is advertised on street lamp posts, electric meter boxes and on the walls of stores. Abortion is practiced both legally and illegally.
Officially, abortion is permitted only by doctors and trained nurses yet many of these advertised services are for unlicensed abortionists, including those who claim to provide late-term abortions which are prohibited under the law. The abortion law was amended in 2008 to downscale requirements for where abortion may take place to allow the use of abortion inducing medications at home and shifts oversight of abortion regulations to the local level where governments are often poorly resourced. There is growing concern about the complications and deaths that have resulted from abortions as the maternal mortality rate has doubled since 1990. Despite the public displays promoting abortion services, abortion is still heavily debated and opposed in South Africa where religious beliefs and cherished African values respecting life from conception strongly motivate the pro-life movement.
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Global Outreach has researched and written on the rise in maternal deaths in South African since the legalization of abortion in How South Africa is failing women and children. South Africa is touted by pro-abortion activists as a model for pro-abortion legislation but this well documented paper brings to light the tragic truth of the impact of abortion on the lives of women in South Africa. “According to the 2010 South African Health Review (SAHR), 625 mothers died per 100,000 live births in 2007. This is up from 369 in 2001, and it is double the 1990 rate. The SAHR explains, ‘South Africa…is actually in the small group of countries where the MMR has increased since 1990’.”
It is clear that legalizing abortion does not save women’s lives. Access to life-affirming health care will save the lives of both mothers and children. While the legalization of abortion and rampant advertising in South Africa may give the impression that “abortion is no big deal” it is the “final deal” to thousands of South African women who died in abortion and to their children whose lives were ended. Abortion is also the “deal gone bad” for countless women whose suffer the consequences of abortion everyday and regret their abortions.
The US House of Representatives has again shown its pro-life voice by passage of legislation banning the patenting of human beings. The language, which was signed into law by President Obama today as part of the America Invents Act, H.R. 1249, ensures that the US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) does not issues patents for a human organism. Known as the Weldon amendment, the provision was first introduced by Rep. Dave Weldon to the FY04 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations bill and has been passed in subsequent appropriations bills since. While the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a policy banning the patenting of human beings at any stage of development, there were concerns the policy was vulnerable to changes or legal challenges as research on human embryos advanced. The passage of the Weldon amendment into law codifies the USPTO provision, ensuring the legal protection of human beings at every stage of development. The Family Research Council lauded the passage of the provision: “Passage of the ban on patenting human organisms as part of patent reform is a huge victory for the idea that all human lives, even those of the youngest among us, are valuable and should not be viewed as property. The Patent Office had a policy of rejecting patents on human embryos, and in previous years the Weldon language helped give legal weight to that policy while some scientists wanted to gain a property right on genetically altered humans,” said president Tony Perkins.
Some things people living in developed countries take for granted, like a readily available toilet, but for 40 percent of the world’s population a toilet is simply unavailable as is adequate sanitation of any kind. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is targeting sanitation and water in a new initiative to save lives and improve the health of the 2.6 billion people living without access to basic sanitation.
Diseases related to a lack of sanitation account for half of all illnesses in developing countries and contribute to the deaths of 1.5 million annually from diarrheal disease. A spokesman for the Foundation explained that the initiative will target “policy and advocacy to ensure that the efforts in sanitation are guided towards people who are most underserved because we want to make sure that people who have unsafe sanitation are first on the list to receive approved sanitation.” No invention in the past 200 years has done more to save lives and prevent disease that the toilet and related improvements in sanitation.
Regrettably, past attempts to establish sanitation systems have failed and experts agree new technology is needed. The Gates Foundation is proposing innovative solutions to essentially “reinvent the toilet” in an affordable and sustainable way while working with local communities. Research includes innovative waterless toilets that do not require sewer connections or outside electricity and cost less than five cents a day as well as sanitation advances to capture, treat, and recycle human waste.
The Gates Foundation has previously been known for its work on vaccines, HIV/AIDS and malaria and most recently, maternal and child health. Last year the Foundation funded a landmark study that showed a significant drop in the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR), with the number of women dying for every 100,000 live births declining from 422 in 1980 to 320 in 1990. The study cited the reasons for the improvement including improved nutrition, access to health care, education for women, and the use of skilled birth attendants, among others. Consequently, the Gates Foundation dedicated $1.5 billion to maternal and child health to focus on pre- and post-natal care, infant care and nutrition, and training for health care workers. Melinda Gates insists that the Foundation will not fund abortion stating, “…the foundation specifically doesn’t take a stance on abortion… we don’t want to be part of the controversy or stem that controversy.”
If successful, this groundbreaking project of the Gates Foundation will result in healthier and happier lives and will contribute to greater security, privacy and dignity in their daily lives of billions of women and girls struggling to survive without adequate sanitation and water.
Former Member of the European Parliament from Ireland and international recording artist Dana Rosemary Scallon continues her pro-life advocacy outside the corridors of power by launching the first national children’s pro-life art competition in Ireland—Art4Life. The singer, known by many in the USA for her EWTN programs and for writing the inspirational song “We are One Body” says that the competition is a “wonderful opportunity for children to use their natural creativity to show their love for life.”
The competition is open to children under the age of 12. Those who wish to enter are asked to create and submit a piece of art including paintings, poems, or videos that demonstrate the theme “Why Life is Precious”. A total of eleven prizes will be awarded at the All-Ireland Rally for Life this July in Dublin. The rally is the largest pro-life event in Ireland that brings thousands- largely families- together for a celebration of life with music, face painting and family fun.
The Parliament of the Czech Republic is misinterpreting European law as it considers legislation to offer abortions to citizens from other European Union (EU) nations. The proposed law would include abortion in the interstate service provisions under which EU citizens are given less expensive rates, even though abortion is specifically not under the jurisdiction of the EU.
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has submitted a legal opinion to the Czech Republic Ministry of Health clarifying EU law: “No one should accept the falsehood that governments must offer abortions just because pro-abortion advocates want that to happen. Neither European nor international law requires the Czech Republic to offer abortions,” stated ADF Legal Counsel Roger Kiska.
Despite the intense pressure and lobbying efforts of abortion advocates, a “right to abortion” does not exist in the EU, and EU Member States retain national sovereignty over abortion. ADF’s legal intervention serves to remind the Czech Republic and other EU countries that they alone have authority over laws governing abortion.
In 2006, the Council of Europe explained, “The European Union treaties have not bestowed on the Community or the Union the competence whereby the Union could regulate on abortions. The Member States thus have the competence to regulate on this and ensure compliance in their territory with the laws that they pass. The EU cannot interfere in unsatisfactory states of affairs due to differences in the legislation of Member States when it comes to areas that are not within its competence.”
On March 26th, Chile was awarded the first ever International Protect Life Award. In a special ceremony organized by the Office of the President of Chile, President Piñera received the award from the International Protect Life Committee, composed of NGOs active at the UN, on behalf of the people of Chile. The International Protect Life Committee praised Chile for outstanding achievements in “women’s health and respect for life” and called Chile an example for other countries in attaining UN Millennium Development Goal 5, reduction of maternal mortality.
Dan Zeidler, coordinator of the International Protect Life Committee, explained that Chile’s success is a positive example for other countries that deserves to be celebrated by its people. “Our objectives in giving this award… include raising the level of awareness and appreciation within Chile itself about the low rate of maternal mortality and a greater appreciation for the Constitutional and other legal protections given to the unborn child.”
The award also coincided with celebrations for the Day of the Unborn Child, March 25th, which was marked by pro-life organizations in countries around the world with marches, demonstrations, events and signs of solidarity in defense of the unborn child and the dignity of the human person.
PNCI joins with other pro-life organizations in applauding Chile for its consistent support of the right to life of all. While the world will long remember the heroic efforts undertaken by Chile to rescue the trapped miners hidden deep inside the darkness of the mine, Chile’s campaign to demonstrate the humanity of the child in the womb is also an example for countries to follow in shedding light on life inside the womb. See Chile’s pro-life campaign commercial here.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), a leading UK abortion provider, had requested that the British High Court reinterpret the country’s 1967 Abortion Act to permit misoprostol, the second dose of a two drug abortion regimen, to be taken at home rather than in a medical facility as is currently required.
The ruling rejected BPAS’s proposed change in the law to allow self-use of the uterine contracting drug misoprostol at home. This action by the UK High Court comes at a critical time as misoprostol alone is promoted for self-induced abortion around the world. Laws that restrict the performance of abortion to physicians only and limit abortion to clinic settings are facing challenges in many countries and are viewed as “obstacles and barriers to abortion”.
The UK Court decision given by Mr. Justice Supperstone left the matter to the discretion of the Health Secretary, who he said has the power to determine the viable “places” for abortion “treatment”, potentially including the home. However, current Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has rejected requests to do so.
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) argued against home use of misoprostol for what is known as “bedroom abortions” and highlighted the physical and psychological dangers such abortions pose to women and their unborn children. SPUC spokeswoman Katherine Hampton celebrated the ruling, “Today’s judgment is a victory for women. If BPAS had won this case, it would send out the false signal that there is a ‘safe’ route to abortion.”
“The significance of this case is important internationally too, as chemical abortions are widely promoted in poorer countries, and any move to widen the practice here may adversely affect unborn babies and women around the world,” said Hampton.
Indeed this decision comes at a critical time as pro-abortion NGOs are promoting misoprostol alone for legal and illegal abortion use in countries around the world. For such NGOs a pill and a glass of water is the ultimate “access to abortion”. Regrettably for mothers who take on the role of abortionist when they swallow such pills, the home becomes a place of pain, trauma and loss as she alone deals with the forced expulsion of her son or daughter hours, days and even weeks after taking misoprostol. The bedroom is never quite the same again for many women who undergo such abortions.
Excellent news comes from Brazil on the new Brazilian Congress. According to a new poll, the majority of Brazilian congressmen set to take office are pro-life. A poll released by the GI News Network in Brazil had asked the 513 lawmakers if they agreed with legalizing abortion. 267 members, 52.4 percent, responded they were opposed. Newly elected President Dilma Rousseff, who supports legalization but claims to be “personally opposed to abortion,” has promised not to propose any legislative measures liberalizing the nation’s pro-life laws. PNCI looks forward to continuing to work with the dedicated and committed pro-life lawmakers serving in all levels of government in Brazil.
Russian Patriarch Kirill took unprecedented action as head of the Russian Orthodox Church and sent policy recommendations to the Russian government that include measures to reduce abortion just prior to a meeting of the Council of State on the family.
The Patriarch recommended that the government health system no longer pay for abortion, except in the rare instance when the mother’s life is in danger, enact informed consent and a waiting period described as a “time of reflection”. The proposals mark the first time the Russian Orthodox Church has made suggestions to the government and are triggered by concerns over the high abortion rate and the looming demographic catastrophe as Russia’s population continues to rapidly decline.
The measures proposed by Patriarch Kirill also include creating support centers for pregnant women in obstetric clinics. The Patriarch’s proposals urge the Ministry of Health and Social Development to adopt a guiding principle “that makes preservation of pregnancy a priority task for the doctor and bans medical initiatives on its interruption”. PNCI applauds Patriarch Kirill and the Orthodox Church for their leadership in promoting a culture of life, providing pregnant women with assistance, and offering proposals to save the lives of children from the violence of abortion.
Russia is one of the more dramatic examples of the present and future dangers of a decreasing population. The Russian health and education systems are already feeling the effects of the low fertility rate with more to come. Russia, with a population of 142 million in 2010, is projected by the United Nations to continue on a dramatic decline resulting in a population of 116 million in 2050 unless dramatic changes are made. The abortion rate in Russia, one of the highest in the world, results in a disproportionate rate of live births to abortions.
