Media Release 23rd Feb 2021
In the interest of protecting the rights of women and their precious unborn children and the right to freedom of speech and assembly, Right to Life requests that Parliament vote against Louisa Wall’s Private Members Abortion Legislation [Safe Areas] Amendment Bill, at its first reading.
We believe this Bill is being driven by Jacinda Ardern, thinly disguised by having this Bill in Wall’s name. Ardern’s efforts to include the provisions of this bill in her Abortion Legislation Act in March 2020 were frustrated at that time because of an “administrative mishap in the house”. Not to be daunted we believe that Jacinda Ardern has now found a vehicle to ensure that the presence of peaceful and law abiding people outside killing centres is completely shut down.
The bill is a distraction from the real violence and harassment inflicted on women in abortion mills. How ridiculous that this bill is promoted to keep women safe!
Women are reduced to tears and grief not by what happens to them outside abortion mills, but by what happens to them inside. May God forgive us for what we allow to happen to women under the pretence that it is health care.
Louisa Wall seeks to address a problem that does not exist. We suggest that she read the report of the Law Commission to the Minister of Justice on suggested changes to the abortion laws.
The Law Commission, on safe zones advised the Minister, “At this time the Commission does not see a strong case for this.”...”The Commission sought input from health professional bodies, abortion service providers and health practitioners about safe access zones. The majority felt that safe access zones were not needed.”
The Commission were also concerned that legislation imposing safe zones would be infringing on the right to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association protected by the Bill of Rights 1990.
The Commission also stated that it, ”has not seen any clear evidence that the existing laws around intimidating and anti-social behaviour are inadequate.”
Right to Life supports the right of compassionate, law abiding and caring people to assemble outside of abortion clinics to offer loving help to women who seek help to choose life for their children. There are many women who have been grateful for their presence and help in their hour of need.
The claim that a woman entering a public hospital for an abortion can be harassed, is simply not logical. How can anyone know that a woman entering a public hospital is going there for an abortion. It is simply impossible. The vast majority of abortion facilities are in public hospitals and it is not possible to know if a woman entering a hospital is attending an out patients clinic, visiting a sick relative or seeking an abortion.
Right to Life totally rejects the false and unsubstantiated claims that peaceful, caring law abiding citizens are harassing women. There is absolutely no need for this legislation and we call on Parliament to uphold the laws that uphold not take away our freedoms and human rights.
Ken Orr,
Spokesperson,
Right to Life