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5th February 2021
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** In this issue:

READ - Public Investigation needed into government mismanagement of Covid-19 in nursing homes (#nh)

READ - Growing opposition across Africa to Biden plan to pay for overseas abortions (#africa)

READ - Over 2,000 Doctors and Healthcare Professionals Sign Submission Opposing Euthanasia (#2000)

READ - Welcome news as late-term abortion clinic in London closes down (#Lodge)

READ - Is Croatia about to outlaw abortion? (#croatia)

REGISTER NOW - PLC Network Webinar with Abigail Forman on Saturday the 13th of February (#webinar)

APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC (#7)
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Public Investigation needed into government mismanagement of Covid-19 in nursing homes ()
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Close to 1,600 people have died due to Covid-19 in nursing homes, with one third of these deaths taking place in the month of January.

The huge increase in the levels of infection has resulted in around 2,000 staff currently on Covid leave, adding an additional strain to the system and the quality of care residents of these homes are receiving.

Those working in the health services and residential settings are unquestionably doing their level best under extremely difficult circumstances to care for older and vulnerable people under their care.

But it must also be stated clearly that there have been repeated and inexcusable failings at the heart of government from the onset of Covid to prioritise the citizens of Ireland at greatest risk – those living in nursing homes and residential settings.

Despite repeated warnings from as far back as February 2020, the Government refused to listen and take the appropriate action at the critical moments where very many lives could have been saved.

After the dreadful experience of the first phase of Covid in 2020, impassioned pleas were repeated in the autumn of 2020 for the government to prepare for the inevitable winter wave of Covid, with particular focus on ensuring there wouldn’t be a repeat of the awful tragedy that befell nursing homes in the earlier part of the year.

In October 2020, Oireachtas members Peadar Tóibín, Rónán Mullen and others repeatedly called on the Minister for Health to give priority to preparing for the next major outbreak of Covid in nursing homes. In the Seanad, Senator Mullen personally appealed to the Taoiseach: “We were put to the test six months ago and we failed the most vulnerable. Let us not have a repeat of the same. I am making as impassioned a plea as I can to the Taoiseach and the Government to treat this issue with the urgency it deserves today, not tomorrow or in the days to come. It is the least we owe our older and most vulnerable and dependent members of the community.”

Read more of the story
here. ([link removed])
Growing opposition across Africa to Biden plan to pay for overseas abortions ()
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Opposition is growing in many African countries to the decision of US President Joe Biden to revoke the Mexico City Policy which suspended federal funding of abortions abroad under the previous US administration.

President Biden’s latest executive order means the restoration of widescale funding of international aid groups that carry out and promote abortion in mostly African countries, paid for with US tax dollars.

In recent days, however, filmmaker and social activist Obianuju Ekeocha along with hundreds of people from across Africa have condemned President Biden’s move with some describing it as imperialist and a gross interference in the affairs of countries with time-honoured traditions of respecting the right to life of unborn babies.

The enforcement of Mexico City Policy over the past four years deprived International Planned Parenthood Federation of close to $100 million and British abortion chain Marie Stopes International (now MSI Reproductive Choices) of about $73 million in US tax dollars. Regrettably, following President Biden’s decision, that's all about to change. But if the coordinated efforts in recent days by people like Obianuju Ekeocha are anything to go by, the new US administration will face growing opposition to the move and will have to contend with some very high profile individuals taking them to task and exposing the lie that the funding has anything to do with improving the lives or health of women in developing countries.

Watch the video above with a selection of some of the people speaking out against President Biden’s latest move.

Read more of the story
here. ([link removed])

Over 2,000 Doctors and Healthcare Professionals Sign Submission Opposing Euthanasia ()
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Over 2,000 doctors and healthcare professionals across Ireland have signed a letter to the Oireachtas Justice Committee expressing their strong opposition to the introduction of euthanasia/ assisted suicide as proposed by the Dying with Dignity Bill 2020.

The letter spells out the grave concerns of these healthcare professionals regarding the Bill currently before the Dáil to legislate for assisted/euthanasia in Ireland. It references the devastating impact laws permitting euthanasia have on society and the very real concern that in the event of euthanasia being introduced “the most vulnerable may be made to feel a burden to their families and come under pressure to end their lives prematurely.”

In addition to the over 2,000 who signed the Irish Healthcare Professionals for Dignity in Living and Dying submission, numerous other worthy submissions were also sent to the Oireachtas Committee expressing similar sentiments. There is no question that the overwhelmingly number of submissions received came from individuals and groups opposed to the introduction of euthanasia.

A number of submissions from State funded bodies raised concerns about various aspects of the Bill currently before the Dáil but didn’t outrightly take issue with the idea of permitting euthanasia in certain circumstances. They refer to the need for safeguards in any proposed legislation to protect the elderly and disabled people. It is important to state that such safeguards would for the most part be meaningless if a law permitting euthanasia were introduced. The clear experience from countries that have already introduced euthanasia is that once it’s introduced there’s no way to adequately protect the most vulnerable members of society. The only way to protect the vulnerable is to not open the door at all to sanctioning the ending of human life in law.

Read more of the story here. ([link removed])
Welcome news as late-term abortion clinic in London closes down ()
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There was some very welcome news this week that the second-largest abortion centre in Britain (that performed late-term abortions) has closed down.

When in operation, the clinic, known as ‘The Lodge’ in Streatham, South London performed over 4,000 late-term abortions each year, many of which took place at 20 weeks’ gestation and over.

The closure follows several incidents in recent years at the clinic, including a damning inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2019 that brought to light that members of staff had not completed life support training, some had no training in spotting or treating sepsis and other serious deficiencies.

A pro-life group kept having a vigil outside the Streatham clinic for over 25 years offering those entering The Lodge an alternative to abortion. This week their prayers were answers and their unwavering efforts rewarded with the closure of this clinic that took the lives of so many innocent unborn babies and no doubt caused untold suffering to many women who ended up regretting their abortions.
Is Croatia about to outlaw abortion? ()
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A number of senior politicians in Croatia are currently gathering the signatures of colleagues to pass a law that would effectively outlaw abortion in the country.

At present in Croatia the law permits abortion up until 10 weeks’ gestation and also allows abortion at later stages in pregnancy under certain circumstances.

The latest move in gathering signatures, if successful, would prohibit abortion in the country, while explicitly safeguarding all necessary medical interventions in pregnancy to save the life of the mother.

There is considerable support in Croatia for this latest pro-life effort which is being led by members of the Croatian parliament like Hrvoje Zekanović.

It will be worth keeping an eye on the progress of these efforts in the coming weeks and months. It is an encouraging sign to see senior politicians in a growing number of countries introducing bills and petitions to reinstate legal protection for unborn babies, side by side with proposals to put additional supports in place of offer women and families real and positive alternatives to abortion. It is also encouraging to see the public backing for such moves highlighted in some polls.
Register NOW for PLC Network Webinar with Abigail Forman on Saturday the 13th of February (http://)

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Join Our PLC Network Webinar with special guest Abigail Forman, Director of Public Affairs for Right to Life UK on Saturday 13th February from 11am to 12noon.

As well as working with the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group in Westminister, Right To Life have been working on campaigns on the issue of pain relief, telemedicine abortions and more.

The webinar will also feature a panel discussion on Grassroots Activism, videos and more!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential.

Register here ([link removed])

APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC ()

Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?

If you would like, APPLY HERE ([link removed]) to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
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Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.

Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.

Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.

Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.

If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.

Thank you!

Apply Now by filling in the application form ([link removed]) ([link removed])
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Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

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