Volume 7, Number 23

May 28, 2004

At UN, Disabled Groups Seek Protection for Disabled Unborn Children

By Douglas A. Sylva, Ph.D.

     (NEW YORK - C-FAM) As the United Nations debates a landmark international treaty to protect the rights of people with disabilities, a number of groups representing the disabled have addressed the drafting committee this week to demand that unborn children diagnosed with disabilities must be protected from abortion. The representative of the World Federation of the Deaf-Blind, Lex Grandia, for example, told the committee that, "Disability must not become a justification for the termination of life."

     This issue concerns many disabled groups, since evidence suggests that, in the developed world, a large percentage of unborn children who are diagnosed with disabilities such as Downs Syndrome are aborted. A speaker from the Canadian Association of Living told the committee that pre-natal genetic diagnoses are a "slippery slope toward genetic perfection" that will result in the elimination of those humans who do not meet the genetic standard. In response to this threat, diplomats were encouraged to turn "a new page to embrace our sons and daughters, and promote their inclusion and right to life."

     The debate has centered upon the draft document's Article 8, entitled, "Right to Life," which in its present form states that, "States Parties reaffirm the inherent right to life of all persons with disabilities, and shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by them." A number of delegations have attempted to define what this language might entail. China, for instance, has insisted that the right to life apply only to those people "who have been born and are now living on this earth," so that it can continue to use "family planning" to "relieve burdens on society."

     Ireland, speaking for the European Union, admitted that there had been "a very difficult discussion" within the EU over Article 8. This is the first major UN negotiation since the EU expanded to 25 nations, and, with Poland and Malta as new members, it may be more difficult for the EU to reach consensus on language that relates to abortion.

     The Holy See reminded the committee that the right to life is recognized in other conventions, and that the Vatican "attaches great importance to this article." Costa Rica called on the article to be expanded to recognize the "right to life of all persons."

     A number of other issues worry pro-life participants. Language now in the draft document includes a right to "sexual and reproductive health services," which includes abortion, as well as strange new obligations for states to ensure that "persons with disabilities are not denied the equal opportunity to experience their sexuality, have sexual and other intimate relationships, and experience parenthood."

     There is also concern that euthanasia and assisted-suicide may be promoted through "quality of life" language. John Wayne Cockfield of National Right to Life reminded the committee that, "People with disabilities around the world are much more at risk than the non-disabled because of what others perceive as a poor quality of life."

     Negotiations on the document will continue through next week.

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