Next Wednesday 9 December, SPUC supporters will be holding a vigil outside the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France between 9am and 12 noon. Anyone who wishes to join the vigil should be near the main entrance of the court by 9am. The vigil is being held as the court considers the A, B and C v Ireland case. A decision by the court could result in all member-states of the Council of Europe being forced to review their laws. The effect could be similar to the Roe v Wade judgment in America, which struck down all restrictive laws on abortion in the United States by recognising a right to abortion. [John Smeaton, 2 December] http://is.gd/5aquW
The Belfast high court has ruled in favour of SPUC's challenge of government abortion guidance in Northern Ireland. SPUC argued that because abortion remains illegal in Northern Ireland, it was wrong to expect medical providers to give non-directive counselling to women who might be considering abortion. SPUC also argued that the government's guidance was wrong regarding non-participation in abortion (conscientious objection). The judge ruled in favour of SPUC on these points. The judge awarded costs against the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Liam Gibson of SPUC Northern Ireland commented: "We hope that the department will now take seriously many of the concerns which were largely disregarded when the guidelines were being drafted." [SPUC, 30 November] http://is.gd/57HCL
SPUC has launched a campaign against compulsory sex education. The government's Children, Schools and Families bill would make sex education compulsory in all state schools, including faith schools, from ages 5-16. The move is part of the government's anti-life sexual health agenda. SPUC is calling upon concerned people to respond to its campaign alert of 25 November http://is.gd/5bbpb
Other stories:
Pro-life journalists attacked at abortion rally in Vienna [LifeSiteNews.com, 1 December] http://is.gd/5b2V7
Argentine legislature passes bill to limit sale of drug used for abortions [LifeSiteNews.com, 1 December] http://is.gd/5b18d
Brazilian doctor accused in almost 10,000 abortions found dead [Irish Sun, 1 December] http://is.gd/5b3vY
Illegal abortion pills allegedly sold in Soweto, South Africa [ZimDiaspora, 1 December] http://is.gd/5b3jh
In South Korea, abortion foes gain ground [LA Times, 29 November] http://is.gd/5b45g
International Christian health group defends affiliation with anti-life UN Population Fund [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 December] http://is.gd/5b08y
Czech government expresses regret over illegal sterilisation of Roma women [BBC, 24 November] http://is.gd/5b3qw
Former Dutch health minister admits error of legalizing euthanasia [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 December] http://is.gd/5b0qX
Early Day Motion (EDM) against assisted suicide tabled in UK parliament [UK Parliament, 1 December] http://is.gd/5b14q
Jewish representative condemns Swiss suicide director for wartime analogy [Guardian, 27 November] http://is.gd/5b4q2
Man who assisted wife's suicide calls for law change [Yorkshire Post, 27 November] http://is.gd/5b4P6
French national assembly rejects euthanasia bill by wide margin [LifeSiteNews.com, 27 November] http://is.gd/5b4W0
Drive starts to make Dutch psychiatrists justify not killing suicidal patients [Wesley J. Smith, 27 November] http://is.gd/5b53i
Pro-life response to Irish Law Reform Commission re advance directives [Pat Buckley, 25 November] http://is.gd/5b5H8
Pro-lifer wins leadership of Australian opposition [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 December] http://is.gd/5b2RD
Obama establishes new bioethics commission [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 December] http://is.gd/5b0bg
50,000 march for life in Costa Rica capital [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 December] http://is.gd/5b0Uk