PO Box 20203, Washington, D.C. 20041
2009 November Volume 3, No 11
International Pressure for Abortion
Pro-Abortion NGO Promotes Self-Induced Abortion
The Dutch pro-abortion NGO Women on Waves has launched an aggressive campaign to promote the use of the drug misoprostol to induce abortion in Tanzania, despite the country's laws prohibiting abortion except for life of the mother. Misoprostol was approved by the Tanzanian Food and Drug Authority in 2007 and registered for use in controlling postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal death.
However, Women on Waves wants the drug to be used to destroy the lives of unborn children and instructs in the use of the drug for self-induced illegal abortions. A training seminar was recently held in Tanzania and included neighboring Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Attendees were instructed on how to use misoprostol to induce abortion, how to treat complications and how to train others on use of the drug. Women on Waves is also connecting pharmacists with distributors of misoprostol as well as setting up local women to act as abortion suppliers by giving them micro credit loans to sell the drug.
Upon learning of the NGO's illegal activities, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Deo Mtasiwa, has launched an investigation and promised to take action once the reports are verified. Women on Waves also operates abortion hotlines promoting misoprostol in a number of countries in Latin America where abortion is illegal. Misoprostol is a powerful drug which can lead to serious complications. A recent Lancet study showed that use of misoprostol for induced abortion resulted in incomplete abortions in 15%-20% of cases causing severe blood loss and infection to women living in resource limited areas.
African Ministers Call to Legalize Abortion
A recent meeting of West African Health Ministers concluded with a call for the legalization of abortion despite the objection of many Africans. In Nigeria, abortion is only permitted to save the life of the mother, a law many Nigerians do not want to change. The communiqué, issued by the Ministers of Health of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), used the reduction of maternal mortality as the premise to promote the legalization of abortion.
PNCI: The death of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum requires investment of government resources to save the lives of mothers and their children. Abortion does not save lives and can never can accepted as a so-called solution. Regardless of legal status, abortion destroys a child and can kill or injure a woman.
Legislative News
Argentina: Deputies Vote to Restrict Misoprostol
The Chamber of Deputies has voted to restrict the sale of the drug misoprostol, known regionally as cytotec, in an attempt to limit use and promotion of the drug for illegal abortions. Pro-abortion NGOs have been active in Argentina instructing women on how to use the drug for a self-induced abortion. Women on Waves, in alliance with local pro-abortion organizations, operates a hotline to instruct women to purchase misoprostol and how to use the drug to induce abortion. If the legislation is enacted, the drug will only be available in state run pharmacies in hospitals and health centers.
US: Pro-Life Efforts Blocks Abortion Funding in House
The US House Pro-Life Caucus was instrumental in the successful effort to block federal funding of abortion in a controversial health revision bill passed the by House of Representatives. The commitment of Members of the House Pro-Life Caucus - the only pro-life voice in the entire US government- from both political parties who under the leadership of caucus chairmen, Representatives Chris Smith (Rep) and Bart Stupak (Dem), with support by expert staff, worked for months to ensure that federal funds would not be authorized to pay for abortion in the new health care programs. The amendment offered by Reps. Stupak and Joe Pitts passed by an overwhelming majority in the Democrat controlled House; supported by a coalition of pro-life Democrat and Republican Members and pro-life organizations. The US Senate will begin debate on health revisions in December; the current Senate bill does not block funding for abortion. Rep. Stupak has vowed to lead opposition to final passage of the House/Senate health bill if it includes funding for abortion.
Honduras: New Law Prohibits Morning-After Pill
A new law prohibiting the morning-after pill has taken effect in Honduras. The Honduran Congress passed the law earlier this year, which prohibits "the promotion, consumption, sale and purchasing of the emergency contraceptive pill, as well as its distribution, whether for sale or free-of-charge." The Medical College of Honduras supported the law and argued the drug was unconstitutional due to its abortifacient effect in violation of Honduras' law restricting abortion.
US: Congressmen Defend Pro-Life Lawyer Arrested after Congressional Testimony
Jiang Tianyong, a veteran human rights lawyer, was unlawfully arrested when he returned to China during President Obama's recent visit after testifying to a congressional human rights panel in Washington, DC on behalf of women victimized by China's one-child policy. His vivid portrayal of women forced to undergo abortion and sterilization at the hands of Chinese population control cadres provided evidence of China's long standing practice of inflicting institutional violence upon women. Representative Chris Smith voiced his outrage that Chinese authorities would mistreat such a strong human rights defender as Jiang and called it "an affront" to decent and civilized people
Rep. Frank Wolf expressed his concern for the safety of Jiang and his wife and daughter and relayed his strong belief that Congress has an obligation to protect human rights witnesses who testify as courageously as Jiang. Both congressmen are fearful for Jiang's safety due to the present suppression of human rights activists in China. Jiang's work as a human rights defender protecting the rights and lives of Chinese women is known and respected by many including Reggie Littlejohn, president of Women's Rights Without Frontiers. Ms. Littlejohn stated that Jiang risked his life to tell the world about "the greatest human rights atrocity against women in human history" and that now his life needs to be protected. http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/ .
France: Legislature Votes Against Euthanasia
The French National Assembly recently rejected a bill to legalize euthanasia in the country. The legislation, which would permit euthanasia for "all adults with advanced or terminal illnesses of a serious and incurable [nature]; those who suffer from physical or mental pain that can not be appeased [by medicine] and that [the patient] considers intolerable". Deputies voted 362 to 202 against the initiative which described euthanasia as "medical assistance to die with dignity." Union for a Popular Movement party deputy Jean Leonetti stated, "Euthanasia is not a medical act. The right to die is not a medical act."
Executive News
Argentina: Governor Assures His Commitment to Life and the Family
Argentina's Governor of the state of Chaco, Jorge Capitanich, has stated he will not support any legislation that would legalize abortion or homosexual 'marriage. Capitanich assured Argentineans of his opposition to any such initiatives, citing his Catholic values, as he responded to demonstrations in support of the right to life and protection of the family.
Judicial News
Northern Ireland: Pro-Life Victory in High Court
Northern Ireland's High Court has ruled that the government must withdraw its controversial guidelines on abortion. In a suit brought forth by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), the Court ruled in favor of the challenge on the grounds that instructing medical practitioners to counsel on abortion when abortion is illegal in the country is unlawful and violates providers' right to conscientious objection. Liam Gibson of SPUC spoke outside the courtroom celebrating the victory, "Abortion is not health care... The law in Northern Ireland protects both women and children and new guidance must reflect that."
NGO Precious Life in Northern Ireland had petitioned for the guidelines to be removed and stated, "They were an attempt to change the interpretation of the law and would have effectively legalised abortion in Northern Ireland 'through the back door.'"
Peru: Court Rules Against the Morning-After Pill
Peru's Constitutional Court has issued a unanimous decision stating that the government cannot sell the morning-after pill. The ruling came after the nation's Minister of Health requested a clarification of the Court's earlier ruling that the government cannot freely distribute the drug. Explaining the Court's decision, Justice Ernesto Alvarez stated that because it cannot prove that the drug does not have an abortifacient effect, "the State cannot participate either in the sale or in the distribution of the morning-after pill and must exclude it as a valid tool for family planning." Peru restricts induced abortion to life or health of the mother exceptions.
Issues
Euthanasia
Man in Coma for 23 Years Was Actually Conscious
A man believed to be in a persistent vegetative state for 23 years revealed that he was awake the entire time but unable to speak. Rom Houben's living nightmare ended when technological advances showed his brain to be fully functioning. Houben describes this moment as his "second birth", and with the help of therapy is now able to communicate through a computer with friends and family. Mr. Houben's case raises new questions about whether coma patients are truly unconscious and renews the right to die debate. Dr Steven Laureys, the doctor who saved Houben, released a study that claims patients in a persistent vegetative state are often misdiagnosed. "Anyone who bears the stamp of "unconscious" just one time hardly ever gets rid of it again," Laureys said. He believes there are many similar cases to Houben's around the world.
Abortion/Breast Cancer
China: Study Finds Strong Linkage between Breast Cancer and Abortion
A study in China has found a 17 percent increased risk for breast cancer among women who had induced abortions. The researchers' findings at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University show a statistically significant linkage between breast cancer and abortion, a finding the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer (CABC) has long argued. The CABC notes the study in China- as well as that from Turkey earlier this year- represent unbiased objective demonstrations of the connection between induced abortion and breast cancer occurrence that is ardently rejected by abortion supporters and many activisits in the fight against breast cancer.
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The Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI) is committed to networking members of democratically-elected legislatures in efforts to advance respect for the inherent value, worth, and inviolable dignity of every human being from the first moment of existence. PNCI issues the Parliamentary Network E-News to provide lawmakers, and those who work with them, news from various sources on the international threat to pro-life laws and current legislative and judicial actions on critical life issues challenging parliamentarians around the world. PNCI is a project of Life Issues Institute.
All news articles include links to original source. PNCI cannot verify that the information contained in the news articles is accurate. info@pncius.org
