Use your vote to stop abortion AIUK members told

The following is taken from this week's Universe, a Catholic newspaper in the UK.

Amnesty International votes on abortion stance 16 March 2007. Catholic members of Amnesty International are being urged to make sure they do not miss out on a vote on the abortion issue at the organisation’s AGM. Delegates at the three-day conference, which takes place at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh from Friday March 23 will be discussing whether Amnesty International should adopt a pro-choice stance. Two motions supporting the argument will be put forward, with an alternative E3 motion proposing the group remains neutral on the subject also being discussed. Catholic members are being urged to vote for this. Dan Baird, the secretary of the Newman Society in Glasgow and a member of AI said a vote for a pro-choice stance could lead to conflict with many countries throughout the world, which forbid or restrict access to abortion. He said: “The way Amnesty International have conducted the process of consultation from regional meetings down to the grass roots has seen very little voice given to the pro-life argument. “There needs to be more time to discuss this, which a vote for motion E3 would provide.” Delegates who cannot attend the AGM, can vote by proxy. All proxy votes have to be in by 5pm on March 21. US senator Chris Smith also recently urged AI members to reject any changes that could alter the organisation’s stance on abortion.