January 28, 2009 (LifeSitenews.com) – On January 23rd, U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order overturning the policy that prohibited US government funding of foreign organizations which promote abortion in less-developed countries. As that news began to reach them, Latin American leaders began to speak out against the decision.
Disturbed with President Obama’s undoing of the “Mexico City Policy,” which prohibited US funding for groups trying to promote abortion and change pro-life laws in foreign countries, the president of the Caracas-based Latin American Alliance for the Family (ALAFA), Christine Vollmer, commented, “This is a horrible way for President Obama to begin to relate with the United States’ neighbors to the South.
“Instead of a positive message of wanting to work to better conditions for every Latin American, President Obama has announced his willingness to fund the enemies of the People of Latin America whose laws generally are very respectful of the right to life before birth.”
Congresswoman Martha Lorena de Casco of Honduras expressed “deep regret and sorrow” that “one of President Obama’s first decisions is to revoke the Mexico City policy. I interpret this action as a promotion of abortion and a threat to the national legislation of my country.”
Senator Liliana Negre de Alonso, Vicepresident of Argentina’s Senate, and President of the World Action of Parliamentarians and Political Leaders for Life, rejected the Obama action: “We can’t say we defend human rights if we don’t defend the first human right, the Right to Life from conception to natural death. To use public funds to finance groups that promote abortion is NOT respecting the First Human Right, Life.”
Julia Regina de Cardenal, of the El Salvadoran organization “Yes to Life” commented, “Our country has total protection in its Constitution and laws for the right to life from the moment of conception. And our ‘Yes to Life’ organization works on a daily basis to provide practical help in a loving and life-enhancing way to poor women who have difficult pregnancies.
“Ours is the ideal situation: Protective legislation and practical, life-enhancing help for people who need it. The US government should follow our example; we shouldn’t be pressured to repeat their tragic, anti-life experience!”
Earlier today an attempt to pass an amendment in the U.S. Senate to reinstate the Mexico City policy was voted down. However, Congressman Chris Smith also introduced a bill today in the House that would undo President Obama’s executive order rescinding the policy.