Did the United Nations human rights chief just endorse abortion as a way to combat the spread of the Zika virus, which has already been declared a public health emergency?
Fifty-one pro-life members of the U.S. Congress urged United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to clarify his statements where he appeared to be recommending that parents in nations affected by the Zika virus crisis be allowed to kill their unborn child.
"We implore you to clarify your statement to make clear you are not lending your voice to efforts to capitalise on this disease to promote a politically motivated pro-abortion agenda," the lawmakers said in a letter to Zeid dated Feb. 25.
"We hope that your recent remarks do not favour abortion as a public health tool to tackle the Zika virus, and would appreciate a response with your clarification," they added.
The U.S. Congress members were referring to a statement posted on the U.N. website last Feb. 5, where Zeid called "for the repeal of laws and policies that restrict access to sexual and reproductive health services in contravention of international standard."
"The advice of some governments to women to delay getting pregnant ignores the reality that many women and girls simply cannot exercise control over whether or when or under what circumstances they become pregnant, especially in an environment where sexual violence is so common," Zeid said in the statement.
"Many of the key issues revolve around men's failure to uphold the rights of women and girls, and a range of strong measures need to be taken to tackle these underlying problems," he added.
Further confusion on the statement ensued when Zeid's spokesperson, Cecile Pouilly, said that countries which criminalise abortion such as El Salvador should change their laws.
"That's why we are asking those governments to go back and change those laws because how can they ask these women not to become pregnant? But also not offer them first information that is available but also the possibility to stop their pregnancies if they wish so," Pouilly said, as quoted by Reuters.
In their letter to Zeid, the lawmakers emphasised the "beauty and preciousness of all life."
"We believe the Zika virus should be a time for thoughtful deliberation as local and national governments determine the best policies to curb the spread of this disease. It should not be an occasion to exploit a genuine public health crisis to advance a political agenda to overturn the laws of many nations which are protective of life at all stages of development," they said.
