Abortion, the deliberate killing of a distinctly new human being in any stage of development is a denial of the child’s inherent right to life and human dignity.

ISSUES - Abortion

Abortion, the deliberate killing of a distinctly new human being in any stage of development, is a denial of the child’s inherent right to life and human dignity. No distortion of basic human rights, no re-interpretation of international law or use of euphemistic expressions can legitimately classify the violence of abortion as an authentic human right.

The right to life is a human right recognized as deserving of protection in law and policy. The human rights of all members of the human family-without exception-were recognized in 1948 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right to life. The Preamble states: "Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." Article 3 affirms, "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."

Additional international treaties recognize the right to life, including the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the preamble to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Both state that "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth." The American Convention on Human Rights stipulates in Article 4.1: "Every person has the right to have his life respected. This right shall be protected by law and, in general, from the moment of conception. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life."

Yet, pro-abortion legal tacticians twist and manipulate provisions of treaties and declarations to market the horrific act of abortion as a human right and as a woman’s right. Pro-abortion activists portray abortion as 'choice', as women’s empowerment, as reproductive health care, and as a way to reduce maternal mortality. All in an attempt to disguise the fact that abortion is a pernicious form of child abuse that always claims at least two victims.

The phrase "safe abortion" is often used in debates on abortion but is the ultimate oxymoron. All abortion-legal or illegal-is unsafe for children and hurts women physically and psychologically. Studies increasingly demonstrate that induced abortion is a risk factor for breast cancer, especially for young women. It can lead to serious psychological disorders and long term feelings of depression, guilt and grief.

Abortion methods-the child dismemberment of surgical abortion or the chemical poisoning of the child and forced premature expulsion from the womb by abortion inducing drugs-can never be accepted as benign, compassionate or safe. Abortion hurts many fathers-rendered powerless to defend their own offspring-and negatively affects siblings and grandparents.

Parliamentarians who believe in the intrinsic value of human life can-and we believe must-boldly and prudently use their strategic positions to advance a deep and abiding respect in law for the dignity of all members of the family-especially preborn children.

PNCI supports pro-life laws and policies to restrict abortion and where abortion is legal, supports the interim efforts by lawmakers to enact legislation to protect life to the maximum extent possible. PNCI advocates for measures to ensure that women are fully informed of the potential physical and psychological risks of abortion and are given information on fetal development that coincides with the gestational age of their preborn child.

PNCI supports enactment of laws that protect conscience rights, deny public funding of abortion, promote adoption as an alternative to abortion, and provide tangible assistance to women facing unexpected pregnancies. Women and their children deserve better than abortion.

ISSUES - Abortion

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