As C-FAM reports, representatives in the Council of Europe, the European legislative body that meets in Strasbourg, France, reversed an effort by abortion proponents.
A resolution came before the Council that was designed to make it difficult for medical professionals to refuse to perform or participate in abortions.
The original resolution, known as the McCafferty report, sought to punish medical professionals for refusing to perform procedures against their conscience. It even called for a new registry of conscientious objectors.” Morever, the intent was clear:
“Christian McCafferty, a British politician and main author of the original resolution, said during deliberations that she sought to force private and religious hospitals and clinics to perform abortions.
A group of legislators, however, spearheaded a substitute resolution with exactly the opposite purpose in mind. It stipulated that no “hospital, institution or person may be subject to pressures, or be held liable or suffer discrimination of any kind for refusing to perform, allow or assist an abortions”
The substitute resolution was adopted, laying the basis for a right to medical professionals to opt out of procedures and treatments that their consciences tell them are immoral.
I’m not surprised. As I’ve discovered over a career spent watching multi-cultural overreach in academia, postmodern liberalism fears coercion. It sides with permission over and against prohibition. In this case, it seemed unnecessarily coercive to create an atmosphere of intimidation to force medical professionals to violate their consciences.
October 14th, 2010 | 5:42 pm
I think it’s Christine McCafferty. Here is her profile from the Council of Europe. She is a Labour party member.
http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/AssemblyList/AL_MemberDetails.asp?MemberID=4171
October 15th, 2010 | 4:09 am
The Council of Europe and the European Union are two, different, independent bodies.
The PACE, which passed this (good) resolution is drawn from national legislatures. As I understand it, it has no binding effect one way or another.
If it were the European Parliament, it might have some force: but it is a good start.
October 15th, 2010 | 5:16 am
Your headline is incorrect. The Council of Europe is completely separate from the EU.
That said, a good story.
October 15th, 2010 | 9:52 am
The EU has nothing to with the Council of Europe. The latter has 47b member states, among them Russia, the whole Caukasus and Turkey. for instance. The latter, also, has absolutely no legislative powers and its court doesnt have any tools for sanction. It’s a discussion club, basically. That said. scary, how womens fundamental rights are taking steps back these days in Europa. Scary forces are moving.
October 15th, 2010 | 10:26 am
It is true that unborn women’s fundamental right to live is under attack. Thank God for those who refuse to ignore their basic right not to be killed before birth. We can hope and trust that these protectors of human life are present within the Council of Europe and within the European Union. May their numbers increase.
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