Congressmen urge Amnesty International to abandon abortion proposal
WASHINGTON — In a bi-partisan letter signed by 74 congressmen, 64 Republicans and 10 Democrats urged Amnesty International not to accept a proposal scheduled for its August 2007 international conference calling upon the organization to begin abortion advocacy. The signatories urge AI to remain neutral or take a position in favour of defending unborn life, stating that any decision to support or condone abortion would “significantly undermine Amnesty’s reputation and effectiveness.” The letter noted that, “Abortion is both violence against children and the exploitation of women.” Over the past year, AI branches in Canada and the United Kingdom have accepted the proposal.
Taiwan re-opens abortion law
TAPEI — An amendment to the abortion law in Taiwan has been proposed by the executive branch of the county’s government. It would stipulate a three-day “think it over” period for women seeking an abortion and would also force girls under the age of 18 to get permission from their parents or guardians before undergoing an abortion. But the new law would allow women to merely inform their spouses of their abortions, whereas, under current law, they have to prove they have got permission from their spouses before they could go ahead with an abortion. The proposal was announced in an attempt to lower the number of abortions in Taiwan.
Portugal readies for abortion referendum
LISBON — Ahead of a referendum seeking to liberalize Portugal’s abortion laws next year, surveys in the western European nation find conflicting views. One survey claimed that 63 per cent of respondents would back an abortion referendum, while another said 34 per cent of voters want abortion-on-demand. Currently, abortion is permitted until the 12th week of pregnancy in cases of rape, incest, threat to the life of the mother or when the unborn child has a severe physical or mental disability. The referendum will ask voters to permit abortion for any reason in the first 10 weeks.