On October 7, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which groups 47 countries, debated and put to vote a resolution to “regulate the right to conscientious objection” in the field of health care. The original document would have severely restricted the physicians’ conscience rights in healthcare decision making. But a group of courageous, pro-conscience MP’s stood against this very dangerous resolution, proposed amendments, and (in the words of one of them, an MP): “Today (Oct 7) in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, we won a wonderful text IN FAVOR of conscience rights! Congratulation to Luca Volontè, head of the EPP delegation in the Council of Europe, and to all other MPs who stayed and voted in favor of these amendments until the end of the session. This is a full VICTORY for Conscience Objection. All good amendments adopted all bad wording defeated. This is valid for all 47 member states of the Council of Europe: http://www.coe.int/aboutCoe/index.asp?page=47pays1europe&l=en This is the final adopted resolution. You can find it at: http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/AdoptedText/ta10/ERES1763.htm The Text: The right to conscientious objection in lawful medical care Resolution 1763 (2010)[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1][1] 1. No person, hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion, the performance of a human miscarriage, or euthanasia or any act which could cause the death of a human foetus or embryo, for any reason. 2. The Parliamentary Assembly emphasizes the need to affirm the right of conscientious objection together with the responsibility of the state to ensure that patients are able to access lawful medical care in a timely manner. The Assembly is concerned that the unregulated use of conscientious objection may disproportionately affect women, notably those having low incomes or living in rural areas. 3. In the vast majority of Council of Europe member states, the practice of conscientious objection is adequately regulated. There is a comprehensive and clear legal and policy framework governing the practice of conscientious objection by healthcare providers ensuring that the interests and rights of individuals seeking legal medical services are respected, protected and fulfilled.4. In view of member states’ obligation to ensure access to lawful medical care and to protect the right to health, as well as the obligation to ensure respect for the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion of healthcare providers, the Assembly invites Council of Europe member states to develop comprehensive and clear regulations that define and regulate conscientious objection with regard to health and medical services, which: 4.1. guarantee the right to conscientious objection in relation to participation in the procedure in question; 4.2. ensure that patients are informed of any objection in a timely manner and referred to another healthcare provider; 4.3. ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment, in particular in cases of emergency.” AAPLOG SALUTES THOSE WHO STOOD FIRMLY (AND SUCCESSFULLY) FOR CONSCIENCE RIGHTS IN MEDICAL DECISION MAKING!![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
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