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August 2004
Contents: Possible law rethink as abortion becomes major news issue; a big thank you to those graduating; Sheffield students join lobby of parliament against euthanasia; NUS fails to pass any pro-abortion policies; SLN appalled at rise in under-16 abortions; Societies round up; editorial.
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here for our press contact details To download a hard copy of this newsletter click on the below links - feel free to distribute this newsletter at your university or school: Front Page (PDF - 313KB) Back Page (PDF - 324KB) Printing Instructions - VERY IMPORTANT Possible law rethink as abortion becomes major news issue Tony Blair has hinted that MPs could vote within a year on lowering the 24-week limit for social abortions. The comments come at a time when abortion is becoming a major new issue in the British press. In a response to a question by Andrew Selous, MP for Bedfordshire SW, the Prime Minister said: "There were certain criteria that was set out at the time as to when abortions should be lawful or not. If the scientific evidence has shifted than it's obviously sensible for us to take that into account." The questioner asked the opinions of Mr. Blair in relation to comments made by the former Liberal MP David Steel, the main architect of the 1967 Abortion Act. Lord Steel recently said that the limit for social abortions should be cut to around 12 weeks, so as to bring the British law in line with other European countries. His suggestions come after the publication of amazing 4-D images by Professor Stuart Campbell of an unborn child at 12 appearing to "walk in the womb". Other images show unborn children of 18 weeks opening their eyes and smiling at 26 weeks, much earlier than first thought. Mr Blair, who has an appalling record on life related matters, said: "I haven't had an opportunity myself to study in detail the evidence that has been provided but I'm sure if the situation does change, than it would be advisable for us to have another look at the whole question." Any plans to bring in a change in the law are likely to be brought in by a Private Members Bill. Recently, there have been a number of abortion related stories splashed across the pages of British newspapers. Last December Rev Joanna Jepson questioned the legality of the abortion of a 28 week old unborn child with a repairable cleft pallet. Rev Jepson argued that the abortion was illegal because the baby did not have a "serious" handicap as defined by the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. The government is currently reviewing this act. In April, Channel 4 broadcast a documentary including pictures of a 'suction' abortion taking place at four weeks gestation. Although it had a strong pro-abortion bias, the programme further opened up the abortion debate. Stories of a teenager having an abortion without her parents’ knowledge and children surviving botched abortions have also featured in the news. Student LifeNet hopes that these and other developments will encourage more students to get involved in the pro-life cause. Patrick Leahy, Student LifeNet Director said: "All this has created conditions ripe for the reduction of the abortion limit and, hopefully, the abolishment of eugenic abortions. "Everything now depends on whether pro-life groups and individuals can - together - work effectively to reduce the upper time limit. Rest assured, Student LifeNet will be taking the battle to universities - but are you prepared to fight with us?" A big thank you to those graduating By Patrick Leahy Student LifeNet wishes to thank those graduating, for their hard work for the pro-life movement throughout their university years. Without your dedication, our collective achievements would amount to very little. You have managed to help keep societies going, and establish a pro-life presence at your respective universities. Even if few individuals were persuaded to support the right to life for all human beings, your presence has reminded students of the importance of issues such as abortion. At the very least you would have encouraged people to question the status quo. We very much hope that you will continue your involvement in the pro-life movement after University. Details of other pro-life groups are available on our links page under the resources section of the website. In addition, feel free to get in touch if you want a recommendation. Thanks again! Sheffield students join lobby of parliament against euthanasia Three members of the University of Sheffield Pro-Life Society joined a mass lobby of parliament against euthanasia on April 27th. They met with Richard Allen, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam, to campaign against the draft Mental (In)capacity Bill (MIB) and the Lord Joffe Assisted Dying Bill. The three joined other pro-lifers from across the country for a mass lobby of parliament led by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. Richard Allen MP, a member of the Joint Committee on the MIB, expressed his support for it, despite claims from the lobbyists that it would legalise euthanasia by omission. However, Mr. Allen agreed that the Lord Joffe Assisted Dying Bill would allow active euthanasia, which he objected to. He said: "The legislation [MIB] is not legislation to do with euthanasia. There is a separate debate about euthanasia. "I think I have the right to decide if I want not to be treated. "However, I am very sceptical about assisted suicide." The MIB, which has now been renamed and introduced into parliament as the Mental Capacity Bill (MCB), would allow patients or their representatives to request the withdrawal of treatment, including the provision of food and fluids. 'Courts of Protection' and 'Court Appointed Deputies' would also be established to make decisions on behalf of patients and deliberate in cases of dispute. The re-drafted bill, which was introduced to parliament on 17th June and published the day later, included a further proposal to introduce 'independent advocates' who would probably be social workers. These would be responsible for decision making for those without advanced directives or powers of attorney. Their decisions would be binding on doctors. Many feel that these 'consultees' would be used to free up hospital beds and pressurise reluctant doctors. The Sheffield Pro-Life Society also held a stall in the Student's Union to campaign against the MCB, as well as to make their presence known at the University. Members of the Society gave out leaflets explaining their objections to the bill and invited people to sign up to a petition which asked MPs to object to the bill under its current form. The petition was sent to Mr. Allen to emphasise that there were more than the three who met with him at Westminster who had strong reservations about the MCB. NUS fails to pass any pro-abortion policies  A third Reading of the Higher Education Bill halfway through meant that the conference was cut short. However, pro-abortion policies were passed at the NUS Women's Conference. Patrick Leahy, Director of Student LifeNet who attended the Conference said: "We are delighted that no pro-abortion policies were passed at the main NUS Conference this year. "We are aiming to get a large number of pro-life delegates elected who, along with religious students and those who want to de-politicise the NUS will represent a powerful force. "'The NUS represents the only real opposition to pro-lifers at school and university level. They must be defeated." SLN appalled by massive rise in under-16 abortions The massive increase in the rate of teenage abortions has appalled student pro-lifers. Speaking to the Press Association, Director of Student LifeNet, Patrick Leahy, said: "We are absolutely appalled by the massive rise in the under-16 abortion rate from 3.7 to 3.9 in one year. "This represents an unbelievable 5.4% increase - even higher than the 3.2% increase in the total number of abortions. "This rise comes despite the millions of pounds the government has put into cutting the teenage conception rate. "Moreover, the actual number of abortions is even higher in reality as the statistics do not include the number of abortions from the abortifacient morning-after-pill." Societies round-up OXFORD PRO-LIFE CANDIDATE MISSES OUT: Pro-Life candidate Lucy Underwood came a valiant second in the election for the Oxford Union of Students Vice-President for Women. Miss Underwood received 182 votes out of the 668 votes cast. However, the remaining 486 votes went to Bex Wilkinson, who was elected to the post. Abortion was a central issue to the election campaigning. Miss Underwood told The OxStu that her campaign bought an important issue to the electorate. She said: "I feel that the election campaign succeeded in that it gave a significant number of voters the chance to express their opinion about how OUSU should focus itself." ABERDEEN LIVING ROSARY: An arrangement, whereby participants pray a decade of the rosary every day for pro-life intentions, has been set up at Aberdeen University. The 'Living Rosary' was set up by the Aberdeen University Pro-Life Society in February and currently twelve of its Catholic members are involved. The society is looking to expand the idea. Maire Thomas, of the Aberdeen Pro-Life Society, said: "Prayers are a very important part of our work. Obviously, it's only really Catholics that would be interested in praying the Rosary, but most of our group at the moment are. "Each month I e-mail everyone a list of which mystery they should focus on for the month." Anyone wanting to get involved in the Living Rosary should contact the society by e-mailing u01mtt@abdn.ac.uk. Editorial There is now a massive chance for pro-lifers to launch the beginning of the end of legalised abortion in the UK. Beautiful images of unborn children in the womb have been published, newspapers that have not mentioned the abortion debate for years now consider it as newsworthy, pictures of an abortion taking place have been broadcast for the first time ever, many are horrified at the abortion of an unborn child of 28 weeks who had a curable cleft pallet, the architect of the Abortion Act has called for a reduction of the age limit for terminations, and our very own Prime Minister has been forced to mention the issue in the Commons. The only opposition to student pro-lifers is the National Union of Students and some University Student Unions. I believe that, because of recent publicity, people may well be less hostile to the anti-abortion argument. We must not let this chance go. A pro-life society is needed at every University, but, currently, there are only a handful. Have the courage and determination to fight for what is right - join or set up a pro-life society this September. For information and advice on how to set up a pro-life society, e-mail Patrick Leahy at director@studentlifenet.co.uk. Richard Marsden Editor, Student LifeNet editor@studentlifenet.co.uk |
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