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New Argentine Health Minister Gives Indications of Pro-Life Position

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

Argentina, January 10, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Argentina's new administration under Kristina Fernandez de Kirchner, wife of former president Nestor Kirchner, is continuing to surprise pro-life advocates with indications that it intends to defend the rights of the unborn.

Fernandez de Kirchner's recently-appointed health minister, Graciela Ocaña, raised eyebrows recently when she responded to a government report on maternal deaths due to illegal abortions by saying, "It seems to me that this is a topic having to do with criminal policy; it isn't relevant for the Ministry [of Health]."

Ocaña's dismissive statement identifying illegal abortions with a criminal act provoked cries of outrage from pro-abortion politicians. Pro-abortion activists have often used statistics indicating the unsafe nature of illegal abortions as a means to push through pro-abortion legislation, claiming that "safe" legal abortion will prevent the deaths and injuries attributed to illegal abortions.

The leftist periodical Argenpress, noting that Ocaña's statement followed a meeting between representatives of the Fernandez de Kirchner administration and Catholic Church authorities, stated, "It's impossible to deny that these events are related and are an example of alignment of the current government with the most conservative sectors of the Church, in the face of a growing demand by feminist organizations and women for the legalization of abortion."

Silvia Augsburger, a socialist representative in the National Congress, called the statements by Ocaña a "retreat.  She added, "I wonder what proposal the minister has to stop the deaths of young women, healthy and poor, due to this cause."

Ocaña's remarks follow the decision by Fernandez de Kirchner to put a stop on legislation that would have further decriminalized abortion in Argentina. Her decision was made public shortly before her swearing-in in December, and provoked cries of protest from pro-abortion forces in the Congress.

Another newly-elected member of Argentina's Peronist Party, of which Fernandez de Kirchner is a member, made headlines in December when he used his new powers as governor of the Province of La Pampa to veto legislation that would effectively have created a system of abortion-on-demand in the province.

Although Fernandez de Kirchner has reportedly always regarded herself as anti-abortion, her husband's administration took a blatantly pro-abortion position, and it seemed likely that she would continue her husband's policies.  In the days leading to the recent presidential election, Fernandez de Kirchner made ambiguous statements about her position on abortion.  However, her recent actions are gradually building confidence amongst pro-life Brazilians in her pro-life credentials.

The recent pro-life victories in Argentina's ongoing battle over abortion come in the wake of a sustained campaign by various pro-life national associations, as well as the nation's Catholic bishops, who have been outspoken on the issue.

Previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

President-Elect of Argentina Cancels Pro-Abortion Legislation
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07120706.html

Argentine Governor Vetoes Abortion-on-Demand Bill after Catholic Bishop Leads Protest Campaign
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07121908.html

Bishop Leads Protest March Against Legalization of Abortion in Argentina
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07120501.html

Catholic Attorneys Ask for Veto of Abortion Law in Argentina
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07121111.html

President-Elect of Argentina Defends Pro-Abortion Position and Favors "Sexual Choice"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/oct/07103001.html 

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