Washington, DC— Catherine Glenn Foster, President & CEO of Americans United for Life released the following statement on New Zealand’s move to legalize the intentional extermination of human life:
“As Americans United for Life warned in testimony I submitted to the Parliamentary Selection Committee on September 19, 2019, the Abortion Legislation Bill will greatly expand access to elective abortion in New Zealand, and effectively create a legal regime of “abortion on demand” as we have had in the United States since the abominable Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Although the Bill ostensibly permits “qualified health practitioners” to perform abortions up to 20 weeks gestation, after 20 weeks, abortion will still be available if the abortionist “reasonably believes that the abortion is appropriate in the circumstances,” considering the mother’s physical health, mental health, and “well-being.” The Bill thus allows for abortion up to the moment of delivery of the child and effectively creates abortion on demand at any point in the pregnancy. The Bill also would prevent laws designed to protect the health of the mother and ensure her choice for abortion is fully informed. The Bill may also vitiate legal protections for healthcare professionals who object to destroying life in the womb, contrary to their professed oath to “First do no harm.” All of this against the will of New Zealanders, which the committee implicitly acknowledged by refusing to allow the issue to proceed to a public referendum; polls have shown that half of all New Zealanders call themselves “pro-life,” and even those who are self-described as “pro-choice” desire more restrictions, not fewer, on abortion.
“Americans United for Life stands with New Zealanders who value Life and conscience to continue to oppose all forms of governmental and international NGO meddling in the country’s commitment to stop the legal destruction of innocent human life, and to welcome and protect all members of the human family.
Americans United for Life (AUL) is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization that holds the distinction of being the first national pro-life organization in America—incorporated in 1971. It protects and defends human life from conception to natural death through vigorous legislative, judicial, and educational efforts.
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