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US and 18 countries tell UN there is 'no international right to abortion'; pro- and anti-reproductive rights groups react

Health Secretary Alex Azar spoke at the United Nations summit on behalf of dozens of countries to say that there is no international right to abortion.
UPDATED MAR 24, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The Donald Trump administration has reached out to the member states of the United Nations (UN) to oppose efforts that are being made to facilitate access to abortion globally. The call has met objection from groups that are eyeing greater access to abortion rights.

On Monday, September 23, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that abortion is not an international human right. He spoke on the behalf of the US and more than a dozen other nations and in a joint statement, Azar said: “To make the most meaningful progress without delay or dissension, we respectfully call upon Member States to join us in concentrating on topics that unite rather than divide on the critical issues surrounding access to health care. 

'There is no international right to an abortion'

“We do not support references to ambiguous terms and expressions, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights in U.N. documents, because they can undermine the critical role of the family and promote practices, like abortion, in circumstances that do not enjoy international consensus and which can be misinterpreted by U.N. agencies.

"Such terms do not adequately take into account the key role of the family in health and education, nor the sovereign right of nations to implement health policies according to their national context. There is no international right to an abortion and these terms should not be used to promote pro-abortion policies and measures.”

US' position backed by 18 countries

The Trump administration official’s remarks came at a UN summit that focussed on climate change and health care. Azar was joined by representatives from countries like Brazil, Iraq and Poland while making the statement which was signed by 17 countries besides the US and Russia.

The latest remarks issued by the US health secretary came after a letter was released in July by Azar and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It spoke about similar concerns and asked foreign leaders to “join the United States in ensuring that every sovereign state has the ability to determine the best way to protect the unborn and defend the family as the foundational unit of society vital to children thriving and leading healthy lives.”

Joint statement at UN sees polarizing effect

The joint statement saw a polarizing effect. While conservative groups like The Heritage Foundation and the Center for Family and Human Rights supported the US and other countries for making the move, reproductive rights groups have sought more access to abortion and contraception internationally. Bodies like Planned Parenthood Global have also opposed the US’ initiative saying the current administration has tried to snatch access to birth control and safe, legal abortion right after it took charge.

Shannon Kowalski, director of advocacy and policy at the International Women's Health Coalition said in an interview with National Public Radio: "The United States is isolated. Their position is extreme. They read their statement in conjunction with countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain — which are hardly champions of women's rights. And if they're the countries that the US is aligning themselves with, then I think we're right to dismiss that they have any moral stake in this battle.”

"The life of every child deserves to be protected. It is a basic human right. Every time there is an abortion, at least one innocent person dies. Most mothers have abortions not because it's a legal choice, but because they believe they have no other choice," Andrea Trudden, Director of Communications & Marketing, Heartbeat International, a pro-life organization, told MEA WorldWide.

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