BRUSSELS, November 15, 2002 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The European Union will soon vote on a major reversal of current EU regulations on aid to developing nations which would force member countries to fund abortions and strip them of the right to act according to their religious and ethical principles. The new regulation, related to the Plan of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, is to take effect January 1, 2003 if passed. The new requirement would replace an existing rule which states: “The implementation of the recommendations contained in the Programme of Action is the sovereign right of each country, consistent with national laws and development priorities, with full respect for the various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of its people, and in conformity with universally recognized international human rights.”
The proposed revision removes the previous sovereign rights and even disregards national laws which may prohibit support for abortion. The new regulation reads: “It is to reinforce the Cairo Plan of Action by giving all couples and individuals the basic right and opportunity to fully protect their reproductive and sexual health, in particular against unsafe abortion and other existing harmful practices. It is to provide universal equal access to care, services and products.” Euro-Fam, a pro-life group which devotes its resources to European Union and Parliament matters, is urging all European pro-lifers and pro-life EU member states to urgently voice their opposition to the proposed new regulation. It notes that EU funding for these activities has increased 72% and may go to 300% beyond its current 8.07 Million Euros expense. See the Euro-Fam report and Action Alert: https://www.euro-fam.org/eurunion/eu-parl/actions2002/2002-DEV1/A.php?LG=EN