PersonhoodUSA International Update from the United Nations

Submitted by Keith Ashley on Tuesday, April 17, 2012

 

Commission on the Status of Women
National delegations were unable to reach any agreed conclusions at the end of the Commission on the Status of Women. 
In the closed-door negotiations, I saw the United States single-mindedly press for abortion at the expense of mothers with poor prenatal care and those suffering from HIV. American diplomats refused to accept resolutions to reduce maternal mortality and to provide care for those with HIV because they did not meet the Obama administration’s aggressively pro-abortion standards. 
The draft resolution stipulated the inclusion of comprehensive “youth-friendly” sexual education (provided by groups like the International Planned Parenthood Federation) and increasing abortion services in developing nations. Currently, the United Nations classifies children as young as 10 and 12-years-old as youths.
Despite the Obama administration’s bullying tactics toward the developing world, the radical language supported by American delegates created such a controversy that it prevented the commission from making real progress on improving maternal health or the condition of those with HIV.
Freedom of Conscience Rally
On March 23, PersonhoodUSA joined with other family groups in co-sponsoring the “Stand Up for Religious Freedom – Stop the HHSMandate!” rallies across the nation. The rallies were in response to the Obama administration’s decision requiring all employers, including religiously affiliated organizations holding moral objections, to provide free contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans. I worked with NGOs from the United Nations at the New York City rally for conscience, which was held on the steps of Federal Hall (the first capitol of the United States and the site of George Washington’s inauguration).
In interviews with local and international news, PersonhoodUSA made clear its opposition to any law that reinforces the status of unborn children as property to be disposed of by "choice," rather than as persons with dignity and rights. Forcing moral objectors to administer abortifacients to their employees is no different than forcing Quakers and abolitionists to return escaped “property” to the plantations under the Fugitive Slave Act. The Heath and Human Services mandate is an affront to people of conscience and their God-given, Constitutionally ensured rights.
Global Pro-Life Unity Conference
This week, PersonhoodUSA announced its intent to co-sponsor the Global Global Pro-Life Unity Conference with Human Life International and LifeSiteNews.com. The event, held in Lisbon, Portugal on May 4-5, will highlight the international strength of the life movement by bringing together leaders from nations across the globe who are actively working to recognize respect for life from conception to natural death. The Summit will build relationship and cooperation across national borders and allow strong pro-life organizations to develop new and innovative strategies by learning from one another’s successes in grassroots campaigning and public education campaigns. The event will also support and bring international attention to Portugal's personhood referendum, Pro Referendo Vida. To learn more about the Global Pro-Life Unity Summit, contact Josh Craddock at [email protected].

Commission on the Status of Women

National delegations were unable to reach any agreed conclusions at the end of the Commission on the Status of Women. 

In the closed-door negotiations, I saw the United States single-mindedly press for abortion at the expense of mothers with poor prenatal care and those suffering from HIV. American diplomats refused to accept resolutions to reduce maternal mortality and to provide care for those with HIV because they did not meet the Obama administration’s aggressively pro-abortion standards. 

The draft resolution stipulated the inclusion of comprehensive “youth-friendly” sexual education (provided by groups like the International Planned Parenthood Federation) and increasing abortion services in developing nations. Currently, the United Nations classifies children as young as 10 and 12-years-old as youths.

Despite the Obama administration’s bullying tactics toward the developing world, the radical language supported by American delegates created such a controversy that it prevented the commission from making real progress on improving maternal health or the condition of those with HIV.

Freedom of Conscience Rally

On March 23, PersonhoodUSA joined with other family groups in co-sponsoring the “Stand Up for Religious Freedom – Stop the HHSMandate!” rallies across the nation. The rallies were in response to the Obama administration’s decision requiring all employers, including religiously affiliated organizations holding moral objections, to provide free contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans. I worked with NGOs from the United Nations at the New York City rally for conscience, which was held on the steps of Federal Hall (the first capitol of the United States and the site of George Washington’s inauguration).

In interviews with local and international news, PersonhoodUSA made clear its opposition to any law that reinforces the status of unborn children as property to be disposed of by "choice," rather than as persons with dignity and rights. Forcing moral objectors to administer abortifacients to their employees is no different than forcing Quakers and abolitionists to return escaped “property” to the plantations under the Fugitive Slave Act. The Heath and Human Services mandate is an affront to people of conscience and their God-given, Constitutionally ensured rights.

Global Pro-Life Unity Conference

This week, PersonhoodUSA announced its intent to co-sponsor the Global Pro-Life Unity Conference with Human Life International and LifeSiteNews.com. The event, held in Lisbon, Portugal on May 4-5, will highlight the international strength of the life movement by bringing together leaders from nations across the globe who are actively working to recognize respect for life from conception to natural death. The Summit will build relationship and cooperation across national borders and allow strong pro-life organizations to develop new and innovative strategies by learning from one another’s successes in grassroots campaigning and public education campaigns. The event will also support and bring international attention to Portugal's personhood referendum, Pro Referendo Vida. To learn more about the Global Pro-Life Unity Summit, contact Josh Craddock at [email protected].

 

Comments