Grave concern at creation of a new EU network of independent experts
We reported in a recent newsletter that pro-life and pro-family groups have expressed grave concern at the appointment by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) of a new network of independent experts known as FRALEX. We have prepared a review of the issues surrounding this new panel of experts and its implications, which has been placed 0n our website and can be accessed or downloaded as a a pdf file at the end of the website article.
Significantly the Charter of Fundamental Rights has not yet been approved as it is part of the Lisbon Treaty which Ireland has rejected.
Because of the history of the original panel of experts and its previous opinions ELN considers FRALEX poses a significant threat to genuine natural law human rights throughout the EU
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| Universal Declaration briefing
Focus on the Family and CARE jointly organised a lunch briefing as part of the celebrations surrounding the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) at UN headquarters in New York.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Habib C Malik of Lebanon son of the late Ambassador Charles Habib Malik who was one of the primary architects of the UDHR.
Dr. Habib first outlined the history of the UDHR andthe difficulties that were experienced in concluding it in 1948 at the onset of the cold war and then referred to contemporary challenges to full implementation of the UDHR which he said were Repressive Regimes, Post Modernism and Religious Radicalism.
Elaborating on the issues he said the post modernists deny the existence of human nature and that rights become a la carte.
the meeting was also addressed by H.E. Mr. Hilario G. Davide, Jr. Phillippines Ambassador and H.E. Mr. Saviour F. Borg Maltese Ambassador | |
| Greetings!
We reported some time ago that we were working on the development of a new website which for a variety of reasons became much delayed. We have finally managed to resolve all outstanding issues and have pleasure in launching our new website which can now be accessed on the following URL
We have also published a review of the new European panel of experts FRALEX which can be accessed on the new website see article below.
Finally this week we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal declaration of Human Rights which we are currently attending in New York and have two articles relevant to these celebrations. We have a number of new posts on our directors BLOG see http://europeanlifenetwork.blogspot.com/ | |
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U.N. to receive 500,000 signatures calling for defence of life and the family
New York, December 10.-A coalition of pro-life and pro-family groups today presented a petition in a press conference at the United Nations HQ, containing at least 500,00 signatures asking that U.N. member states interpret the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as protecting unborn children from abortion and protecting the traditional family.
The petition which was drafted in Europe on behalf of Anna Zaborska MEP from Slovakia and Carlo Casini MEP from Italy, was taken on board by the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM), which promoted it widely. The petition called "U.N. Petition for the Unborn Child and the Family," has already been given to the Ambassadors of a number of member states and will shortly be presented to the UN Secretary General. C-Fam was joined at the press conference by the Polish Federation of pro-life movements, the Institute of Family Policy of Spain, United Families International of the US, and U.S.-based Concerned Women for America.
The U.N. Petition for the Unborn Child and the Family asserts that the rights presented in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are inherent to every person and that Governments should extend the right to life to all members of the human family, including the unborn child. It also asks governments to protect the family as "the fundamental group unit of society," giving special assistance to mothers and children and promoting the rights of parents.
The petition was developed in response to efforts by the pro-abortion groups International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Marie Stopes International which had called for a right to abortion to be recognized on the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "We are proud not only to match but far surpass the efforts of pro-abortion groups," said Austin Ruse, president of C-FAM. "We launched our drive only 60 days ago and have generated more than 500,000 names from all over the world."
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President Klaus of the Czech Republic verbally abused by Members of the European Parliament
A meeting took place on Friday (5 December) in Prague Castle between Czech President Vaclav Klaus and a delegation of MEPs in advance of the Czech Republic taking over the presidency of the EU in January. Two of the MEP's were verbally abusive to President Klaus for his opposition to the Lisbon treaty and his meeting with Irish No campaigner Declan Ganley.
Green MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit formerly known as "Danny the Red", told President Klaus" I don't care about your opinions on [the Lisbon treaty]. I want to know what you will do if both the Czech Chamber of Deputies and the Senate approve it. Will you respect the will of the people's representatives? You will have to sign it."
Cohn-Bendit also called on the Czech president to explain the level of his relations with Declan Ganley, the founder of the Ireland's Libertas group, which was formed to fight the Lisbon treaty. "A man in your position is not supposed to meet him," he said, citing "unclear" and "problematic" funding of Mr Ganley's political activities.
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Pill to be available without prescription
Pharmacists in parts of London, England, will next year supply women and girls over 16 with hormonal contraceptive pills without a prescription. The scheme could be extended beyond the target areas, Lewisham and Southwark. The Family Education Trust said there was no evidence that increased access to contraception cut teenage conception or abortion rates. The UK Faculty of Public Health claims more contraception reduces teenage pregnancy. [ BBC, 10 December]
SPUC in a news release said. "We deplore this new move which threatens women, and promotes the silent abortion of early embryos in some instances - this is a recognised but hushed-up effect of many forms of hormonal birth control. "The government is determined to promote birth-control drugs and devices to achieve its policy objectives, in defiance of common sense and evidence - as well as concern for health of women, some of whom suffer adverse reactions from hormonal birth control. "Since the Teenage Pregnancy Unit was set up, it has intensified failed policies (like school-based sex ed, sex clinics for children, and more and more birth control for teens) and introduced new initiatives that have been equally futile (teen pregnancy co-ordinators across the country, school nurses as condom pushers)". | |
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