Amnesty to defy Catholic church over rape victims' abortion rights

[cybercoma]

portions posted from: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politi...icle2859077.ece

The decision, which will also cover women whose health is at risk from giving birth, follows the use of mass rape as a political weapon in the conflict in Darfur. But Amnesty has infuriated the Vatican by expanding its definition of human rights to include access to abortion, prompting leading Catholics to accuse the organisation of having "betrayed its mission". Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, has threatened that unless Amnesty's policy is reversed, the Vatican will call upon Catholics worldwide to boycott the organisation.

"Amnesty International stands alongside the victims and survivors of human rights violations. Our policy reflects our obligation of solidarity as a human rights movement with, for example, the rape survivor in Darfur who, because she is left pregnant as a result of the enemy, is further ostracised by her community. Ours is a movement dedicated to upholding human rights, not specific theologies. Our purpose invokes the law and the state, not God." [Amnesty's deputy general secretary, Kate Gilmore]

Are these the things the Catholic Church is supporting?

[in Darfur], as well as being traumatised, the victims were frequently injured or afflicted with sexual transmitted diseases, and left to cope alone with unwanted children. One survivor said: "Five to six men would rape us, one after the other, for hours during six days, every night. My husband could not forgive me after this. He disowned me."

In Peru, a 17-year-old girl discovered that her foetus had anencephaly - meaning that it was going to be born without a brain - but a doctor refused to allow her access to an abortion. She was compelled to give birth and breastfeed the child for four days before its died.

n the Sante Fe province of Argentina, a social worker told the organisation Human Rights Watch about a woman who went into hospital after having an unsafe abortion and was bleeding badly. "A doctor started to examine her, and when he realised, he threw down his instruments and said: 'This is an abortion. You go ahead and die'."

Let's not forget the rampant spread of AIDS through Africa because of Christian Ministries preaching against the use of condoms and promoting abstinence only. Although the article doesn't mention it, there are thousands of people suffering slow and painful deaths because of these teachings.

I don't understand how anyone can contend that the Catholic Church defines morality, thus making the world a better place, after reading articles like this.

Edited August 13, 2007 by cybercoma

[Melanie_]

Good for Amnesty International for supporting women in trauma rather than pandering to an out dated and repressive religion.

[Bonam]

This whole crusade against abortion by the Church is really idiotic. A few centuries down the road, people will look back on it the same way as we now look back on witch trials. All I can say really.

[capricorn]

As long as abortion is not being used as a means of contraception, the pregnant woman should decide if she will give birth. That goes for all women, be it rape or other unintended consequences, regardless of what the uncooperative sperm donor thinks.

[maldon_road]

This whole crusade against abortion by the Church is really idiotic. A few centuries down the road, people will look back on it the same way as we now look back on witch trials. All I can say really.

In years to come I don't doubt that some changes will be accepted without reservation - gay marriage, for example, as people realize that it is not a social threat. But there will always be people opposed to abortion given the argument that fetus is in effect a human life.

[runningdog]

In years to come I don't doubt that some changes will be accepted without reservation - gay marriage, for example, as people realize that it is not a social threat. But there will always be people opposed to abortion given the argument that fetus is in effect a human life.

Agreed. I hate abortion but have to consider myself "pro choice" because there are situations (rape being the main one) where abortion is a choice I would not deny to the woman involved. Not that I would or should have a say....

[M.Dancer]

"Amnesty International's position is not for abortion as a right but for women's human rights to be free of fear, threat and coercion as they manage all consequences of rape and other grave human rights violations," she said.

"Amnesty International stands alongside the victims and survivors of human rights violations. Our policy reflects our obligation of solidarity as a human rights movement with, for example, the rape survivor in Darfur who, because she is left pregnant as a result of the enemy, is further ostracised by her community. Ours is a movement dedicated to upholding human rights, not specific theologies. Our purpose invokes the law and the state, not God."

The Vatican is accusing Amnesty of double standards, because it opposes the death penalty in all circumstances but, it argues, under some circumstances will now condone the killing of an unborn child.

Abortion is not mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or other internationally recognised human rights documents, such as the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, which stresses the importance of protecting children "before as well as after birth".

I don't find this an easy issue. While I am personally opposed to abaortion on moral grounds (what other grounds could there be?) I have always thought that it is not my place to tell someone who isn't carrying my child what she can do.

That being said, I am well aware of the rationale of rape as a weapon and I truly feel for those who carry the babies or who must raise the children of their enemies.

I suppose I can find relief that Rome doesn't have much sway over the oppressed of Darfur.....but I think Amnesty should withdraw abaortion access as a human right.