ACLJ Demands United Nations Recognize Unborn Babies’ Right to Life

Today the ACLJ submitted its written contribution to the Human Rights Committee (Committee) of the United Nations (U.N.).  The contribution outlined the necessity for Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to include unborn children in its definition of human being.  Article 6 states that, “[e]very human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law.  No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”

The ICCPR was ratified by the U.N. General Assembly in 1966.  The treaty is based upon the acknowledgement that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…”  The Committee monitors the implementation of the ICCPR by the States that are a party to the treaty, in an effort to assure basic human rights.

The ACLJ submission covered the majority scientific position that life begins at conception (more specifically fertilization), and that from the moment life begins it is worthy of protection.  It covers United States laws that recognize the humanity of the unborn child, including the Pain-Capable Child Protection Acts. It also addresses state public policy, citing the Alabama Attorney General’s statement that, “…the public policy of our state is to protect life, both born and unborn.”

The ACLJ’s European organization, the ECLJ, also submitted a written contribution. The ECLJ holds special Consultative Status before the United Nations/ECOSOC since 2007. Dr. Grégor Puppinck, the Director General of the ECLJ will make an oral presentation during the Committee discussion that will take place in July.