Seventy-four members of Congress, along with several pro-life groups, are calling on Amnesty International (AI) to continue to hold a neutral position on abortion.
Under pressure from pro-abortion groups, AI is asking its nearly 2 million members in 74 countries whether to declare abortion an international human right. A vote is expected in 2007.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., sent a letter signed by his colleages urging AI to remain neutral on abortion -- or take a pro-life stance.
Deirdre McQuade, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the preborn are worthy of amnesty.
“Every child -- born or unborn -- deserves protection and to have his or her human rights secured and protected,” she told Family News in Focus.
Officials at Amnesty International said in a statement they had received the letter from Congress and look forward to more dialogue on "pressing human rights issues."
McQuade said she hopes they mean it, despite the pressure they’re receiving from pro-abortion groups.
“That would very seriously threaten how much we could work together," she said, "how extensively we could have them speak in Catholic settings, or recruit young workers to be on staff with them.”
Democrats for Life is another pro-life group calling on AI to take a stand for the unborn. Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, said life is a human right.
“It would be a step in the wrong direction to start promoting abortion," she said. "The unborn children are definitely worth protecting.”
