European Union
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Re: PACE Report:
"The Problem of
Unregulated Use of Conscientious Objection"
PACE Resolution on Restricting Conscientious
Objection Endangers Freedom of Conscience of Medical
Practitioners
European Centre for Law and Justice | . . .The ECLJ must warn the members of PACE that several
recommendations of the resolution are direct and serious
violations of the freedom of conscience of medical
practitioners, as guaranteed by European and International
law. . . continue reading
Protection of Conscience Project
Submission to the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe
. . .Considering the Report from this broader
perspective, as we do here, it becomes apparent that its
recommendations are offensive to human freedom and dignity
and repugnant to fundamental principles of liberal
democracy. . .
continue reading
Europe's Choice on Conscience Protection
Matthew Schmitz | This Thursday the Council of Europe . . .will vote on a
resolution and series of recommendations on conscience
protection. . . .It would create guidelines that encourage
member states to force doctors to perform abortions in some
circumstances and to make referrals for them in every
circumstance. . . .it is an all-out assault on conscience
and community. . .
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Medicine, Strasbourg, and conscientious objection
European Court of Human Rights decision
Julian Sheather | . . .Conscientious objection is a live issue in medicine.
. . Given the
prevailing political pluralism-given the co-existence in our culture of
different value systems-to what extent should medicine accommodate such
objections? Should those whose consciences differ be treated differently?
What forms of conscientious objection should be tolerated and on the basis
of what criteria?. . . continue reading
UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Favours of a Right to Conscientious Objection in the Context of Abortion
and Euthanasia
- European Centre for Law and Justice | On the occasion of a conference organized by the ECLJ at UN
headquarters in Geneva, Professor Heiner Bielefeldt, the UN
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, spoke in
favor of the right of medical staff to refuse to participate in
performing an abortion or euthanasia. He mentioned the case of a
midwife who was harshly sentenced in Sweden for having refused
to participate in an abortion and was forced into "professional
exile." . . .continue reading