Elected and appointed representatives to national legislative bodies--parliamentarians—serve as key decision makers on the critical issues that affect respect and dignity for life.  In their strategic positions, parliamentarians write laws, set policies, allocate funding and conduct oversight. They bring attention to issues, share information and help shape both political and public opinion.
 
Legislators were recognized as the key decision makers on laws affecting the legal status of abortion at the 1994 UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. The ICPD Programme of Action declared: "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."  Since that time, parliamentary working groups that promote unfettered access to abortion have been organized and funded globally by Untied Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Marie Stopes International (MSI) and Catholics for Choice (CFC).
 
Parliamentarians have a duty to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in society—the unborn, the disabled, those suffering and those near death. The failure to legislate with  consistent respect for all human life, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability, creed, stage of development, or condition of dependency undermines the most fundamental of all human rights—the right to life. 
 
No one should ever be reduced to a disposable commodity, valued only for their usefulness, wantedness or utility. History has demonstrated time and again that horrific acts of inhumanity—including genocide—occur when people, individually or collectively, are disenfranchised by a government and defined as "sub-human" or "unfit".
 
Today, lawmakers face anti-life legislative initiatives which if enacted will result in countless lives never allowed to live—destroyed by abortion and infanticide—and lives taken before their time through euthanasia and assisted suicide. These vulnerable individuals need men and women serving in public office who take seriously their responsibility to uphold and protect the rights of all. Those at risk benefit when lawmakers join together in legislative working groups or caucuses to advance respect for life in their respective governments.
 
PNCI assists lawmakers in upholding their obligation and duty to protect the dignity of all human life and encourages like-minded legislators to unite in working groups to more effectively advance legislation and policies consistent with just and humane laws that respect the inherent value and dignity of all human beings.  Lawmakers can learn more about the activities of PNCI.     

PNCI Guide to Forming Pro-Life Parliamentary Groups
Guide assists lawmakers to form working groups to more effectively advance a culture of life while defeating counter measures.
 
PNCI Introductory Guide to the Legislative Process
Guide serves as a basic informational guide to the legislative process on the abortion issue.