EU to push pro-abortion agenda in UN – radical European Parliament resolution

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The European Parliament has adopted another radical resolution which includes gender ideology, accusations of alleged regressive treatment of women's rights and a condemnation of the US ban on the public funding of pro-abortion organisations, in addition to calling upon the EU to urgently ratify the Istanbul Convention. The European Union is planning to push these demands during a session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. In addition, MEPs have called upon the Council of the European Union to ensure that no member state breaks rank on the issue before the UN Commission. The Parliament has also once again infringed upon the rights of member states by pressuring them to change laws restricting access to abortion and related to sexual education.

Last Friday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the priorities of the European Union for the 64^th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. This year's edition of this annual event will be special – its purpose is to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action on gender equality enacted in 1995. This non-binding document was signed by a great number of states and to this day constitutes one of the greatest achievements of the feminist movement.

The EP intends to use this opportunity to adopt radical policies. The resolution once again mentions “organised, worrying backlash against women’s and LGBTIQ* rights” in member states where “anti-gender movements” are active. According to the authors of the resolution, these movements allegedly try to “limit sexual and reproductive health and rights, ban sexuality education and gender studies and promote smear campaigns against the Istanbul Convention” (point G). In truth, however, behind what the EP refers to as “anti-gender” movements is a large group of European citizens who reject gender and LGBT ideology, protect the right to life from conception, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, family autonomy and the right to raise children in accordance with one's own beliefs.

At the same time, MEPs, extending beyond their jurisdiction and ignoring the founding principles of the EU, are increasingly trying to infringe upon the rights of member states by criticising legislation which regulates access to contraceptives (point N) or pressuring them to legalise abortion. The EP claims that “safe and legal abortion services are important elements for saving women’s lives” (point aa), and that “the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights services is a form of violence against women” (point L). In addition, the EP once again condemned the US global gag rule on abortion. The rule prohibits the public funding of organisations providing abortion “services”, offering advice and consultations related to abortion or lobbying for legislation which allows the killing of unborn children. The European Parliament also called upon the EU and its member states to share the financial burden of financing pro-abortion organisations (point n).

The MEPs also presented their vision of sexual education. According to the document, it “should include topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity, gender expression”, as well as providing information about access to “safe and legal abortion” (point ac). The Parliament once again called upon the EU to urgently ratify the Istanbul Convention on gender (point y) and to pass the anti-discrimination directive bill, which would limit the freedom of contract and economic activity (point ak).

The resolution also addresses the Council of the European Union, demanding that a uniform stance be taken regarding the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The resolution postulates that the Council should take decisive action to clearly condemn any backlash against gender equality and measures undermining women’s rights, autonomy and emancipation in every field (point c). This is tantamount to exerting pressure on all EU member states to prevent them from breaking ranks during the session on such issues as the pro-abortion policies supported by the European Union.

“The European Parliament is becoming increasingly radical in its stance, questioning the right to live, freedom of speech and belief, as well as the right of parents to raise their children in line with their own beliefs. Its attempts at pressuring member states to adopt feminist policies are a cause for concern, as is its forcing of governments to adopt a unified stance despite differing views. We expect Poland to become more involved in protecting the right to live at every stage of development and the family, both in the UN and as part of the European Union” says Magdalena Olek, Deputy Director of the Ordo Iuris Centre for International Law.