SPUC warns of anti-life dangers in draft EU constitution

London, 11 November 2003 - The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has warned that the draft European Union constitution may establish the right to abortion on demand and assisted suicide in every EU country.

In a letter to every Catholic bishop in all EU member- and applicant member-states, John Smeaton, SPUC national director, has explained that the draft constitution's rights of 'human dignity' and 'physical and mental integrity', as well as a weakened and subordinated article on the right to life, "may well lead to a 'right to die' and the killing of those humans commonly misrepresented as 'non-persons'.

Mr Smeaton also warned that "because of the vague 'rights' and broad judicial power created by the draft Constitution, the document may limit democratic (that is, legislative) debate and decision-making at national levels. Decisions regarding important social and moral questions will be determined by the European Court of Justice rather than national parliaments."

Mr Smeaton called for both civil and religious leaders "to raise these concerns at the highest political levels" both nationally and at the EU, and proposed amendments to the draft constitution designed to ensure legal protection for human life.

The letter is on the SPUC website as a PDF file at www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/eubishops.pdf.