Groups Ask U.S. to Back Off Demand for Abortion at UN

By Wendy Wright | March 14, 2013

Over 20 groups are asking U.S. Secretary of State to end the U.S. obstruction over abortion at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Here is the letter sent today:

Dear Secretary Kerry,

This week the United States has an opportunity to advance international efforts to prevent violence against women and girls through the UN Commission on the Status of Women. We are disturbed to learn that the U.S. delegation is, instead, exploiting this effort to insist on language that the former Secretary of State and others say includes abortion. The delegation is also not supporting language that upholds national sovereignty.

It is especially shocking that the U.S. called for deleting a reaffirmation that every human being has the “inherent right to life, liberty and security of persons.” This contradicts a foundational principle of citizens and civilizations worldwide.

Last year, negotiations at this same Commission failed to reach agreement because the U.S. insisted on language that has been defined as abortion without limits. The U.S. also required that the agreement not recognize that countries have a say in how policies are implemented. This principle of national sovereignty is fundamental to U.S. independence and a necessary standard for other countries as well.

This position contradicts current U.S. laws, which allow limits on abortion and bans funding abortions internationally. The U.S. delegation’s work will lead people to believe that the Administration is attempting to undermine U.S. laws through little-noticed agreements at the U.N.

The delegations at the Commission are under exceptional pressure to reach agreement this year. It appears the U.S. is holding the agreement hostage to impose policies that violate America’s own standards. The U.S. delegation’s position risks our country’s reputation of helping women victims of violence worldwide, to replace it with abortion as the ultimate priority.

We respectfully ask that you direct the U.S. delegation to end its demand for controversial abortion-related language, and support language upholding national sovereignty.

Sincerely,

Austin Ruse
President, CFAM

Donna J. Harrison, M.D.
Executive Director and Director of Research and Public Policy,
American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Tom McClusky
Senior Vice President, Family Research Council

Piero Tozzi
Senior Legal Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom

Penny Nance,
CEO & President,  Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee

Marjorie Dannenfelser
President, Susan B. Anthony List

Phyllis Schlafly
President, Eagle Forum

Sharon Slater
President, Family Watch International

Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D.
President and CEO, Americans United for Life

Gary Marx
Executive Director,  Faith and Freedom Coalition

Thomas P. Kilgannon
President, Freedom Alliance

Bob Lalonde
International Director,  Priests for Life

E. Douglas Clark
President, The Howard Center for Family, Religion and Society

Scott Fischbach
Executive Director, MCCL Global Outreach

Jim Backlin
Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Christian Coalition of America

Jim Hughes
President, Campaign Life Coalition

Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D.
Director, International Organizations Research Group

Marcia Barlow
President,  United Families International

Stephen Phelan
Director of Communications, Human Life International

William J. Murray
Chairman, Religious Freedom Coalition

Matt Smith
President,  Catholic Advocate

Peter Smith
UN Representative for the United Kingdom’s (UK)
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC)
and International Right to Life Federation

Michael P. Farris, J.D., LL.M.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter