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August 14, 2007

After mass rape, forced abortions?

Following horror with horror in Darfur.

Ted Olsen

Amid the debate over Amnesty International's policy on abortion, the "diplomatic editor" for the London Independent notes that the human rights organization was largely inspired to create its policy because of the mass rapes in Darfur, Sudan. But would Amnesty agree with the editor, Anne Penketh, in her jaw-dropping assertion that "To allow the victims of mass rape to give birth is arguably tantamount to complicity in genocide"?

posted by Ted Olsen | Comments (5)

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While this is a very sensitive and volatile issue, I believe that in rape, abortion would be OK. WHy should the individual be constantly reminded of this horror?

Irene

Posted By: Irene | August 15, 2007 5:49 PM

Irene: Anne Penketh isn't asking whether the woman should be allowed to have an abortion. She's asking whether the woman should be allowed TO GIVE BIRTH.

Posted By: Ted Olsen | August 15, 2007 7:01 PM

No one need ask whether or not Amnesty would agree with Ms. Penketh. Although AI has only recently begun advocating for a limited pro-choice position, they have always derived their definitions of human rights from the UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights and subsequent treaties. Those documents are adamantly against forced abortions, sterilizations and the like as violations of the right to have families and children.

Posted By: Michael Westmoreland-White | August 15, 2007 7:43 PM

all life is a gift from god no matter how the circumstance for conception was. It is still killing of innocent life.the mother must realize this.the life she carries is not responsible for the violence that was broughton their mother and she must over time forgive her attacker and love the child God has given life to.

Posted By: rich corona | August 17, 2007 1:26 AM

Ted, I don't understand.. What is the difference between "not allowing to give birth" and "abortion"?

Posted By: MQ | November 1, 2007 3:50 PM