09.05.2011 Pro Life Campaign granted special NGO consultative status by the United Nations

9th May 2011

Pro Life Campaign granted special NGO consultative status by the United Nations

The Pro Life Campaign was recently granted special NGO consultative status by the United Nations. NGO status allows accredited organisations to formally contribute to the work programmes and goals of the United Nations by serving as technical experts, advisers and consultants. NGOs are also invited to participate in international UN conferences and to make oral and written interventions on issues of concern.

The is a very welcome development and gives the Pro Life Campaign an important platform to influence the debate at an international level. It also gives us an opportunity to emphasise that Ireland, as the safest place in the world for pregnant women, can be an example to other countries in safeguarding the lives of both mothers and babies.

The PLC recently made a submission to the UN Human Rights Council, which in October examines Ireland’s record on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review. Among other things, the PLC called on the UN group to recognise abortion as a violation of human rights and to acknowledge Ireland’s outstanding record of care in protecting the lives of women during pregnancy while at the same time affording legal protection to unborn babies. You can view this submission here.

In the coming months, as a participating NGO, the Pro Life Campaign will join with other groups in bringing further pressure to bear on China over its toleration of the brutal practice of forced abortion.