Parliamentary Network E-News

Volume 10
No. 8
August, 2016
 
Focus on India

India: OTC Sale and Use of RU 486 Can Increase Maternal Deaths

Researchers in India continue to warn that over the counter sale (OTC) and use of RU 486--WHO's "gold standard" for medication induced abortion, so-called 'medical abortion' --can lead to increased maternal mortality and morbidity. In the recent abstract, How safe are over the counter abortion pills-differences between its intended and practical usage and its implications - a study conducted in a tertiary care centre in Shillong, Meghalaya, India the authors Manika Agarwal and Amrita Datta present the concern that the Medical Termination Act (MTP)of 2002 in India legalized 'medical abortion' for the first trimester restricting the prescribing of 'medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) pills' to "medical practitioners" but that "the rampant usage of over the counter medical abortifacients leads to complications. This study was done to gather data regarding the over the counter purchase and usage of medical abortifacients and its effect on women."

Their conclusion is addressed to legislators in India, "Over the counter purchase of medical abortifacients without proper knowledge causes unprecedented maternal morbidity and mortality. National bodies should impose strict legislations to stop this."
 
Similarly, Is It Safe to Provide Abortion Pills over the Counter? A Study on Outcome Following Self-Medication with Abortion Pills by K. Nivedita and Fatima Shanthini also reported that in India "self-administration of abortion pills is rampant throughout the country due to over the counter availability of these drugs and complications are not uncommon due to this practice."

This study finds:

"In spite of such clear guidelines and recommendations, self-administration of these drugs by pregnant women without any medical consultation or supervision has become highly prevalent due to availability of these drugs over the counter without any prescription. Many women depend on medical abortion and consider it as a method of spacing between pregnancies. Due to unrestricted availability of these drugs the society considers this to be an extremely safe option of termination of pregnancy. Life threatening complications like excessive hemorrhage, sepsis and deaths due to undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies are not uncommon in women administering these drugs by themselves."

It reports on the high prevalence of anemia in pregnant women-- almost 87%--and states that the condition is estimated to cause 22,000 maternal deaths a year. Concern is expressed for the lives of pregnant women with anemia who self-induce with drugs that are known to cause heavy blood loss: "Self-medication of abortion pills in women with severe anaemia could be fatal."
 
Other studies from India that raise concern on self-use of RU 486 are mentioned and referenced including the following:
   
"Studies comparing intake of abortion pills with medical supervision and self-administration showed that serious complications like anaemia, sepsis, failure and incomplete abortion is higher in women who self-administered the drug.

"Studies comparing medical and surgical methods have shown that hemorrhage and incomplete abortion and rate of surgical evacuation was more after medical abortion. In our study 62.5% of patients had presented with incomplete abortion, 5% with incomplete abortion in shock, 7.5% with incomplete abortion with sepsis and 22.5% with failed abortions. Thirty two (80%) patients required surgical evacuation in our study.  

"Similar study on consequences of self-administration showed that 70.2% had incomplete abortion and 10.8% had failed abortion. This study also reported ruptured ectopic pregnancy and also one maternal death following self-administration of abortion pills. Another study reported 41.54% of incomplete     abortion, 6.54% of septicemia and 1.15% of failed abortion."

The study also concludes with a call for legislation:
 
"Unsupervised medical abortion can lead to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. To curtail this harmful practice, strict legislations are required to monitor and also to restrict the sales of abortion pills over the counter and access to abortion pills for the public should be only through centers approved for MTP. Large scale prospective studies are required to assess the actual magnitude of this problem."

Pro-abortion activists and NGOs who sell abortion pills on the internet, who teach pharmacists to sell mifepristone and/or misoprostol, who instruct women via hotlines to buy and use abortion pills, who illegally dispense abortion pills to women who are without access to medical care, or who deliver the pills via drone need to read the data from India and stop putting the lives and health of pregnant women around the world at risk by promoting self-use of abortion pills.
International Pressure for Abortion

Why is Uruguay a Model Country for Pro-Abortionists?

The relatively small Latin American country of Uruguay is considered by many pro-abortion activists as a model country for access to abortion. After years of implementing a strategy dubbed the "risk and harm reduction strategy" devised by Iniciativas Sanitarias, the country affiliate of International Planned Parenthood Federation, Uruguay decriminalized abortion in 2012 allowing it on demand during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and for the rape exception up to the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. In the "risk and harm reduction strategy" government health providers issue 'advice' to women on how to induce illegal abortion via medication and urge them to go to the hospital if they encounter complications.
 
This month, the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, published by the radically pro-abortion International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), has a special issue detailing the Uruguayan Experience, including highlights of the FIGO role in overturning the country's pro-life policy. Reducing Maternal Mortality by Preventing Unsafe Abortion: The Uruguayan Experience contains nine abstracts that look at different aspects of the process in Uruguay to promote access to, and use of, abortion-inducing pills and of the stages of the successful effort to change the law.
 
The abstracts include one on how the Uruguayan model has been implemented in the province of Buenos Aires in Argentina and how it is believed that it can be replicated in other countries, especially in Latin America.
 
Read more here.

European MPs: SRHR Tour of the Philippines

Members of the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) were hosted by the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) for a "study tour" to "look at how to deal with and overcome opposition on sexual and reproductive health and rights in a predominantly catholic country--over 80 per cent of Filipinos are catholic."
 
The seven MPs, Members of European parliaments from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Romania and Spain visited the Philippines for a week-long study tour "to learn more about the arguments and influence of the Catholic Church with regard to sexual and reproductive health in a developing country."
 
While in the country the European MPs called on colleagues to ensure implementation of the controversial Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law which passed in 2012 despite strong opposition from Catholic bishops and others. The delegation met with Members of the PLCPD including Representative Edcel Lagman and Congresswoman Pia Cayetano, main authors of the RPRH Law, officials of government agencies responsible for implementation of the law, civil society organizations that pushed for the passage of the law, and the Provincial Government of Benguet and the Municipal Government of La Trinidad.
 
According to the EPF, the various meetings "featured a discussion of the salient provisions of the law and the difficulties in implementation that national agencies and local government units (LGUs) face, including: funding, legal challenges concerning young people's access to services and public procurement and distribution of family planning commodities, and retrogressive bills filed by anti-RH lawmakers at both the national and LGU levels."

EPF is a network of 31 national all-party parliamentary groups that "are committed to protecting the sexual and reproductive health of the world's most vulnerable people, both at home and overseas" -including access to abortion--and works with legislators globally to encourage national governments to support SRHR issues. EPF regularly leads study tours to developing countries. According to EPF President Ulrika Karlsson from Sweden, "The voice of European MPs must clearly be heard in emphasizing the importance of SRHR in achieving the entire range of SDGs."
 
EPF began as a project of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in Europe.
Focus on the United Nations

Open Letter Requesting 'UN International Safe Abortion Day'

Pro-abortion NGOs petitioned UN officials to officially mark and designate September 28 as 'UN International Safe Abortion Day'. September 28 is a date that has been used by pro-abortion activists to protest pro-life laws and stage events promoting abortion since 1990. The Open Letter states that the purpose of an official UN day for so-called 'safe abortion' is "to send a strong signal to the international community and to all our governments, with a simple but highly symbolic statement of support for safe abortion". The letter is filled with pro-abortion falsehoods and arguments.
 
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon received his letter in person, delivered by Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi from South Africa, the Special Envoy on Gender of the African Development Bank. The letter was also addressed to the heads of UN Women, UN Development Programme, World Health Organization, UN Population Fund, UN Children's Fund, UNAIDS, and UNESCO.
 
The Open Letter acknowledges that September 28 activities include "campaigns for abortion law reform, clarification of thelaw and/or implementation of existing law, calls for increased access to safe abortion methods and services, training of providers, and efforts to obtain the release of women and abortion providers who are in prison."
 
These activities primarily take place in the overwhelming majority of UN Member States whose sovereign laws do not allow abortion on demand but restrict abortion knowing that it can cause physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual harm to the woman and that it is never safe for the child whose life these governments often seek to protect.
 
As reported in the PNCI June newsletter, the Open Letter, organized by the International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion, was to be delivered on July 4 but due to lack of support delivery was delayed until this month. Signers of the letter include 430 organizations and individuals from 73 countries and reveal key pro-abortion agitators whose lobby work at the UN has failed to advance the pro-abortion agenda. Many of those supporting the letter are affiliated with leading pro-abortion organizations including Marie Stopes International, IPPF, Ipas and associated organizations that work on advancing radical aspects of 'sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)'.
 
Organizations and individuals from the US made up the largest block of support. Their comments demonstrate tired pro-abortion verbiage including that by Marge Berer who coordinated the effort for the International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion: "Safe abortion is an essential health service for women. Would anyone today deliberately withhold effective HIV treatment or safe contraception from people who need them? Why, then, is it still acceptable that safe abortion is being withheld from so many women and girls with unwanted pregnancies?"
 
PNCI notes that if the UN were to designate a day to support the actions of pro-abortion NGOs to overturn laws on abortion it would demonstrate contempt and disdain for sovereign laws of Member States and for parliamentarians who are tasked with the responsibility of passing laws on abortion. In addition, it would be conflict with the ICPD Programme of Action which states, "Any measures or changes related to abortion within the health system can only be determined at the national or local level according to the national legislative process."
Pro-Life Actions

Nigeria: Bishops Condemn Health Minister's Plan

The Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference criticized plans by Health Minister Isaac Adewole to promote contraceptives which they fear will lead to or include a push for the legalization of abortion. The Health Minister is reported to be working with foreign NGOs that promote anti-life policies. The bishops issued a communiqué condemning the proposal. "The policy is being done all in the name of providing better maternal health and empowering our people," they wrote. "We see such moves as deceptive to our people and harmful to moral values and we ask Nigerians to reject them. Our youth and women need better power supply, potable water, good roads, better health and educational institutions more than these contraceptives. Our country must reject this relentless offer of anti-life incentives under the guise of foreign aid in order not to destroy our beautiful culture," the bishops state. They encouraged local governments and grassroots efforts to oppose the plans and protect the country's pro-life laws.
Legislative News

AU: Bill to Legalize Abortion Before New South Wales Government

The New South Wales parliament is considering legislation to remove abortion from the criminal code. A new bill backed by the Greens party would legalize abortion and create "privacy zones" around abortion clinics. The proposed bill also removes doctors' conscience rights. The province has been facing mounting pressure from legal and academic communities supporting the bill. The Christian Democrats are strongly opposing the legislation. "This anti-life Abortion Bill confirms the double standards of the Greens Party which strongly condemns the live baiting of baby rabbits, but is indifferent to the death of unborn human babies," said party leader Reverend Fred Nile, referencing the Greens' support for shutting down the greyhound industry. New South Wales is one of two Australian provinces that protects the right to life and bans abortion.

Nepal: Parliament Approves Government Funding of Abortion

In its recently approved budget for FY2017, Nepal has allocated funding for abortion for the first time. Pro-abortion NGO Ipas, active in Nepal since legalization of abortion in 2002, reported the parliament's move highlighting the government's program as a model for other countries. The Honorable Arzu Rana Deuba, a member of parliament and of Ipas's global Board of Directors, said, "This budget allocation represents a significant step forward in our government's efforts to guarantee women's reproductive rights and their ability to obtain fundamental health-care services."

Poland: Parliament to Debate Abortion Legislation This Fall

The Polish Sejm is set to debate two competing bills on the legality of abortion. A pro-life bill backed by the Catholic Church that would enact a total ban on abortion was presented to the parliament with over 400,000 signatures, while a pro-abortion bill that would permit abortion on demand for the first trimester and increase access to contraception was also presented to the Sejm. This bill was sponsored by the Save the Women civic committee and had 200,000 signatures. Parliament has three months to act on the opposing bills, fueling what is being reported as a "cultural war" between pro-life and pro-abortion campaigners. Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo called for a free vote on the issue in parliament and has indicated her support for the pro-life initiative. Poland currently protects the right to life with exceptions for rape or incest, disability of the child or health of the mother.
Executive News

UK: Marie Stopes Clinic Suspended After Inspection

Surgical abortions were suspended at Marie Stopes International's headquarters in England following a surprise inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Women scheduled for abortions were told to go elsewhere for their safety. The CQC reported they were unsure if staff was properly trained to administer anesthesia and they were concerned about issues of consent. Consequently, all procedures for patients under 18 and those requiring any sedation were suspended. The CQC said it will release the details of its findings once the investigation is complete. "We will continue to monitor these services very closely and we will not hesitate to take further action, if needed," said Professor Edward Baker, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals at the CQC.
Issues

China: Report Filed at UN Details China's Continued Use of Coercive Population Control

A new report filed at the UN details the continued use of forced abortion in China under the new "Two-Child Policy". In the report, Women's Rights Without Frontiers details the repeated use of coercive population control through the screening of women of child-bearing age for pregnancy, imposition of heavy fines for violators, banning single women from having children and the forced abortion of children whose birth was not "approved". 
 
Women's Rights Without Frontiers filed a complaint against China with the UN's Commission on the Status of Women, citing China's continued human rights violations. "Sending out the message that China has "abandoned" its one-child policy is detrimental to sincere efforts to stop forced abortion and gendercide in China, because this message implies that the one-child policy is no longer a problem," said Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women's Rights Without Frontiers. "Let us not abandon the women of China, who continue to face forced abortion, and the baby girls of China, who continue to face sex-selective abortion and abandonment under the new Two-Child Policy. The one-child policy does not need to be modified. It needs to be abolished."

 
 
Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues
Advancing global respect and dignity for life through law and policy.

Back to School for Conjoined Twins Given 20% Chance of Survival

 

Twin sisters
Rosie and Ruby Formosa are getting ready to start school, something their parents never dreamed of four years ago. Born conjoined at the abdomen and sharing an intestine, the babies were given a 20% chance of survival. Born at 34 weeks, they were immediately operated on and now, fours years later, both girls are excited to start school.

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www.PNCIUS.org has been updated with expanded information on Human Dignity and critical issues including: Abortion, Bioethics, Child Mortality, End of life issues, Infanticide, Maternal mortality and Sex-selective abortion.
 
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