Shame – 30th Anniversary of Passing Contraception Sterilization & Abortion Act 1977 [CS & A Act]
New Zealand is engaged in a bloody civil war against its own children. The 16th December marks a period of great shame
in the history of this nation. On this day 30 years ago Parliament passed the CS & A Act with the fervent intention of providing effective legal protection for unborn children and protection for the
health and welfare of their mothers. This intention was expressed in the long title of the Act which states that
“abortions may be authorised only after full regard is given to the rights of unborn children.” Children in the womb are
human beings endowed by their creator at conception with human rights. The foundation stone for our human rights is the
inalienable right to life.
Since the passing of the CS & A Act more than 350,000 unborn New Zealanders have been destroyed in their mother’s womb. A total of 98% of these
abortions have been authorised on the grounds that their continued existence was a serious threat to the mental health
of the mother. In 1995 Dr Christine Forster, chairperson of the Abortion Supervisory Committee told a Parliamentary
select Committee that this was the grounds that doctors used to provide abortion on demand. Abortion on demand is
unlawful in New Zealand. This is an appalling violation of human rights; it is an intolerable burden on the conscience
of the nation.
Abortion entails violence against unborn children who are the weakest and most defenceless members of the human family.
It is the ultimate in child abuse and is domestic violence. The government stands accused of hypocrisy; it proclaims its
concern for protecting children. Recently it passed legislation to prohibit parents correcting their children with a
light smack. This is the same government that sanctions and funds the killing of unborn children in our hospitals as a
core or essential health service. Shame on our government and Parliament that refuses to raise a finger to protect our
children.
The government supports the continued
abolition of the death penalty yet retains it for our innocent unborn children. The Prime Minister, Helen Clark at a
meeting at Parliament in October to promote World Day Against the Death Penalty said; “Capital punishment is the
ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The death penalty violates the right to life and is by
definition and in practice, a cruel and degrading treatment. It is known to have been inflicted on the innocent. It’s
very nature means that it cannot be reversed.” These words could be equally applied to the unborn, it would however be
politically incorrect for the Prime Minister to do so. Woe to those who are responsible for the human tragedy that is
enacted in our land each day.
The abortion industry is presided over by the Abortion Supervisory Committee that refuses to hold doctors accountable
for the abortions they authorise or to ensure that full regard is given to the human rights of the unborn and that
abortions that are authorised are lawful. Abortion on demand is being provided by a small group of doctors who are
failing to uphold the law. They are also in violation of their medical ethics expressed in the Declaration of Geneva,
1948. It reads “ I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of conception until death.” Why is the medical profession failing to uphold its own ethics and allowing its members to deprive unborn children of
their lives?
Churches have a serious moral duty to God and the community to speak up loudly in the public square in defence of life.
The deafening silence of most churches is deplorable; it will be construed by those in government as consent for the
state sanctioned and funded slaughter of our children in the womb. Why are the Churches silent?
The legal profession has a duty to promote a just society that recognises the inherent dignity and human rights of every
person from conception to natural death. Why is the profession silent?
Lastly the secular media has the duty of promoting the common good by upholding the truth and exposing falsehood and
injustice. Why do the media remain silent?
Our children are our society’ future. A nation that makes war against its own children has no future. It is hoped that
society will withdraw its acceptance and support for abortion and a culture of death. We need to embrace a culture of
life that respects the inalienable right to life of every person from conception to natural death. Parliament needs to
pass legislation that will recognise the status of unborn children as human beings endowed with an inalienable right to
life. Women are the second victims of abortion; vulnerable women distressed with an unplanned pregnancy need and deserve
compassion and support both during their pregnancy and after the birth of their child.
ENDS