The following advice has been compiled by the Justice and Peace Commission

Many of you with an interest in justice and peace issues will be aware of the recent debate with Amnesty International over its position on abortion.  The matter has been considered at length by the National Commission for Justice & Peace Scotland and this article offers advice on the situation.  It is advisory only and should not be seen as an official or definitive statement from the Bishops. You may wish to note that the Justice and Peace Commission has withdrawn from membership of Amnesty International. 

Amnesty International (AI) has changed its long held neutral position on abortion.   It now supports the right to abortion where there has been violence such as rape or incest. Amnesty in abandoning its neutral position is forcing its members to take up a position themselves. It puts us in the difficult position of wishing to further Amnesty’s work for prisoners while being unable to support its position on abortion.
 
On 28 August, 2007 Cardinal O'Brien resigned from AI stating: “I hope I act in a manner which is ‘pro-life’ following what I believe is the teaching of Jesus Christ and the teaching of my Church. That basic and most fundamental of all human rights, the right to life is recognised by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the document upon which Amnesty International was founded. Sadly now Amnesty International seems to be placing itself at the forefront of a campaign for a universal ‘right’ to abortion in contravention to that basic right to human life. For me it is a matter of conscience that I have decided to resign from Amnesty International. Others must follow their own consciences.”

Many of us have been long time supporters of AI and are struggling with our consciences as to how we should respond. Here is some background information on this issue and some thoughts on how you might practically respond:

Background

Amnesty’s original focus was on the plight of prisoners of conscience; subsequently it expanded its focus to campaign, for example, against the death penalty and the prevention of violence against women, including rape and being imprisoned for undergoing abortion. Its new position has arisen from this and it has now departed from its long –standing neutral position regarding abortion.

The Church has a concern regarding the care of prisoners (see Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: Para 402, 554 and 557) If the Church abandons its support for the work of Amnesty in this field, it is necessary to think how this concern can be continued in practice. As members of the Church we shall not want to abandon the prisoners for whom Amnesty has provided and will continue to provide so much valuable support.

We are accustomed to working with a wide range of Churches and voluntary bodies in promoting Justice and Peace without requiring sharing all of their principles. This can include offering and sharing resources. There is normally no conflict or confusion in these situations.  Indeed this breadth of activity generates a valuable dynamic.

Possible response:

You may decide that you wish to leave Amnesty
• First don’t go quietly. Please tell Amnesty that you support their work on prisoners but cannot support their stance on abortion.
• Watch the situation – if Amnesty changes its position it would be good to rejoin them and tell them why you are able to do so.
• Look for opportunities where you can still support the work on prisoners. For example it should still be possible to take part in the greetings card campaign without being a member of AI.
• Look for other organisations which support similar aims and give your support to them. We do not want to abandon the prisoners of conscience who need our help. For alternative organisations see list at bottom of this article

You may decide to stay with Amnesty
• First don’t stay quietly. Tell Amnesty of how difficult this has been  and that you will review your decision periodically
• Take part in any and all consultations and the annual AGM to put your view across.
• You could ask that your subscription to Amnesty be ring-fenced.  However, Amnesty has stated they will not consider making such provision.

In the end it will be for each of you to decide for yourselves. We have no doubt that those who do resign will do so with heavy hearts; those who stay may find an even greater challenge. What is important is that those who have unjustly lost their liberty do not suffer.  We hope that you find this advice to be helpful.

John McCarney
Chair

List of alternative organisations to AI

Action for Christians for the Abolition of Torture 01752 843417 www.acatuk.org.uk
ACAT(UK) was formed in 1984 by the then British Council of Churches (now CTBI), with the active support of Amnesty International. It has a greetings card campaign.

Anti-Slavery 020 7501 8920 www.antislavery.org
Anti-Slavery International, founded in 1839, is the world's oldest international human rights organisation and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide 020 8942 8810 www.csw.org.uk
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation specialising in religious freedom. CSW works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all. It has a letter writing campaign.

Jubilee Campaign www.jubileecampaign.co.uk
Jubilee Campaign is an effective human rights pressure group bringing lasting change to children at risk and persecuted Christian families worldwide. It has a letter-writing campaign.

Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture 020 7697 7777 www.torture.care.org.uk
Founded in 1985, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture provides care and rehabilitation to survivors of torture and other forms of organised violence.

Redress 020 7793 1777 www.redress.org
Redress is a human rights organisation that helps torture survivors obtain justice and reparation. Redress works with survivors to help restore their dignity and to make torturers accountable. We seek a variety of remedies, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. Redress’ national and international programmes are aimed at ensuring that the rights of torture survivors, whoever they are, and wherever they are located, are realised in practice.