The European Parliament has voted against pro-life amendments to stop EU money being spent on coercive and sex-selective abortions.

The amendments were partly motivated by opposition to China's one-child policy, which involves compulsory abortions, and to the abortions of unborn girls because of a cultural preference for boys in India. There were 310 votes against and 290 in favour of the amendment on coercive abortion.

Although there were 304 votes in favour and 300 votes against the amendment on sex-selective abortion, that amendment failed because the rules required a qualified majority for passage. [SPUC campaign alert 19 October, updated 23 October]

Other stories:

• SPUC calls for pro-lifers to lobby Lords on assisted suicide
• Justice minister says not enough votes to allow abortion in Peru [Catholic News Agency, 22 October] http://is.gd/4x804
• Spanish bishop denounces new law on abortion as "venom of immorality" [Catholic News Agency, 20 October] http://is.gd/4x8dz
• Catholic bishops of Victoria, Australia reiterate opposition to abortion law [CathNews, 22 October] http://is.gd/4x8tf
• Success of students' Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity [LifeNews.com, 20 October] http://is.gd/4x8zw
• Doctor found guilty of poisoning mistress to induce abortion [BBC, 19 October] http://is.gd/4xykB
• Assisted suicide must stay illegal, say two Northern Ireland politicians [Christian Institute, 22 October] http://is.gd/4xoBN