Nearly 50,000 5 year olds commenced their schooling in the first week of February, happy and laughing with the joy of living. Sadly there were 18,211 5 year olds missing. These are the children who were considered of little worth and whose lives were terminated by abortion in 2004. They are nameless and are recorded as a cold statistic in the Abortion Supervisory Committee’s annual report to Parliament in 2005.

Their absence is mourned for they were created with many talents to enrich our society. Our society is impoverished by their absence. We should also have deep sympathy for their mothers who will be mourning the loss of their children. Mothers who so often were coerced into in to an unwanted abortion because of the abandonment of the mother and child and because of pressure from family and friends.

The National led government has proudly launched its National Standards in schools programme. Children have a right to attain basic literacy and numeracy skills; above all they have an inalienable right to life. It is a great injustice that the killing of these children was sanctioned and funded by the government; this is a violation of human rights. When will the government ensure that every child has a right to be born and the right to enjoy an education and contribute to society?

Ken Orr

Spokesperson,

Right to Life New Zealand Inc.