Scottish Catholic Observer

An attack on the right of conscientious objection to abortion has been defeated in the Council of Europe.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voted on a report, the original text of which recommended a crackdown on medical personnel who refuse to be complicit in the provision of abortion and other unethical procedures.

Ronan Mullen, the Irish senator, and Luca Volonte of Italy, led the assembly in passing amendments that reversed the report, turning it into to a defence of conscientious objection. Christine McCafferty, the report’s British author and her fellow pro-abortion assembly-members were therefore forced to vote against their own report.

Anthony Ozimic, SPUC’s communications manager, said he was delighted with the result. “This evening witnessed an incredible victory for the right of staff in medical institutions to refuse to be complicit in the killing of unborn children and other unethical practices,” he said. “SPUC is immensely grateful to the large number of our supporters who lobbied the assembly in recent months, as well as to Senator Mullen, Mr Volonte and the assembly-members who supported them.”

Donna Nicholson of SPUC Scotland said: “This rare pro-life victory highlights two important points for pro-life supporters. One is that we must be vigilant of our parliaments, be they national, European or international, because there is always a battle to be fought to defend the equality and sanctity of all human life.

“The other is that it is so important to have a pro-life voice both at European and International level, not just a Westminster or Holyrood, because there’s a multitude of ways to chip away at the existing rights that protect life.”