International committee gives award to Chile for successful protection of mothers and unborn children New York, : An international committee of over 30 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has given Chile an award for the country's success in protecting both mothers and unborn children.

The International Protect Life Committee announced its award in a meeting with Chile's ambassador to the United Nations in New York today (high-resolution photograph ).

The award recognised that Chile has the lowest maternal mortality rate in Latin America, at the same time that its laws and policies promote the health of unborn children.

Abortion is banned in Chile. Daniel Ziedler, the committee's coordinator, said that Ambassador Octavio Errazuriz was extremely pleased at the award.

The ambassador repeated Chile's committment to the protection of both mothers and unborn children.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), a leading European pro-life group with official NGO status at the UN, is represented on the committee.

SPUC was represented at the meeting by Peter C. Smith.

A letter from the committee to President Pinera of Chile, notifying him of the award, can be read at   A press release from the committee, announcing the award, can be read at