PR: Scrap the Amendment

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Home > News > Press Releases > PR : 2000 - 2004 > PR: Scrap the Amendment

01.02.2002

Youth Defence calls on the Irish people to reject outright the current Government proposal on abortion. We are outraged at the hypocrisy of Bertie Ahern in presenting this as a pro-life proposal, when at its core, the proposal fails to protect unborn human life from conception. We call upon the Irish Government to be honest with the Irish people and admit that this proposal will result in the death of countless unborn babies.

Youth Defence has worked tirelessly for the last nine years in campaigning for a proper pro-life referendum, and polls have consistently shown this to be the wish of 70% of the Irish electorate. To present this proposal in its current format proves, yet again, the Government’s reckless disregard and contempt for the wishes of the Irish people.

The proposed Protection of Human Life and Pregnancy Bill defines abortion as the ‘intentional destruction by any means of unborn human life after implantation’. The failure of the bill to provide equivalent protection to unborn babies prior to implantation is a fundamental flaw, and makes the bill unacceptable to the pro-life majority in this country.

The denial of this protection is not just a coincidence. The European Parliament has just voted to fund embryo research with the sum of 300,000,000 euros. Indeed the current Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction recently established by the Department of Health has openly admitted that the extent of its remit will depend on the current proposal’s interpretation of the term unborn.

The aim of this proposal is not to protect unborn children. Youth Defence, therefore, demands that the Government abandon this proposal in its entirety. We reject its dishonest attempt to hoodwink the Irish electorate into believing that this is a pro-life proposal. Form the beginning Youth Defence has had as its aim the restoration of full constitutional protection for all unborn children. It is our duty to accept nothing less. Youth Defence will, in the run up to thee next general election, campaign vigorously to expose how the government has failed the pro-life majority of this country.

If Mr Ahern is willing to take the risk, then we are ready for the challenge.

End