During the UN World Summit in Istanbul this week [1], the Holy See reminded us “that there is no international right to abortion” and he has “rejected European proposals to draft new abortion legislation”. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Vatican declared that: “The Holy See emphasises that there is no right to abortion under international human rights law or international humanitarian lawand reiterates the plea from the Secretary General that State and non-State parties to armed conflict should abstain from making ‘broad and litigious interpretations’ of international law”.
The discussion focused in particular on unborn children conceived following sexual violence during conflicts. According to the declaration, they would be referred to as “victims of conflict” but this should be omitted to allow the mothers “to heal”. The defenders of these children “stress that the emphasis placed on aborting these children makes it far more difficult to help them and their mothers”. These children suffer from “stigmatisation and discrimination due to the circumstances of their birth”.
Finally, the Holy See encouraged “religious institutions and Catholic organisations to accompany victims of rape in crisis situations, who, in turn, need effective and ongoing psychological, spiritual and material assistance for themselves as well as their children, conceived and born of rape”.
[1] The aim of this international Summit is to boost humanitarian aid for refugees.
CFAM, Susan Yoshihara (31/05/2016)