Church in Mexico presents Declaration of Human Rights of the Unborn

Mexico City, Mexico, Aug 31, 2007 / 11:06 am MT (CNA).-

The Church in Mexico, together with various lawmakers, politicians, civil organizations and parents, has signed the Declaration of Human Rights of the Unborn, the result of the work of more than 100 specialists in law, bioethics, medicine and education, who gathered in June to focus on the right to life of the unborn from the moment of conception.

The declaration, which contains ten principles that state that the unborn have the right to be recognized as individuals of the human race, will be delivered to the Mexican Congress in support of an amendment to the constitution.

Congresswoman Beatriz Garcia Reyes, who was present at the signing, said the initiative could bear “much fruit,” and she rejected the idea that such proposals to defend life should only occur when politically expedient.  The unborn and their rights should always be defended, she added.  She also called for legislative reform in order to define the unborn as an individual and a person under the law.

Guillermo Bustamante Manila, president of the National Union of Parents, said that although his organization has not spoken with President Felipe Calderon, the First Lady, Margarita Zavala, has expressed her support of the right to life.

In addition, a proposal was made to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 also as the World Day of the Unborn, in order to promote a culture that respects human life from conception to natural death.

The declaration will also be sent to other branches of the Mexican government as well as to the UN and to UNESCO.