United States Joins International Anti-Choice Declaration

On Thursday, the United States joined Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Hungary and Uganda to co-sponsor the Geneva Consensus Declaration. The non-binding declaration is virulently anti-choice sentiment wrapped in pro-family camouflage.

In glaringly dishonest and misleading language, it reads, in part: “This Declaration further strengthens the coalition to achieve these four pillars: (1) better health for women, (2) the preservation of human life, (3) strengthening of family as the foundational unit of society, and (4) protecting every nation's national sovereignty in global politics.”

During the virtual signing ceremony, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the declaration affirms that there is “no international right to an abortion, nor any obligation on the part of States to finance or facilitate abortion.” The Trump administration's decision to join with the other countries signing on to this draconian declaration puts the United States in the company of some of the world’s worst offenders when it comes to human rights: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kenya, Belarus, the UAE and Poland. That same day, Poland’s highest court ruled that abortions due to fetal anomalies were unconstitutional. Given that fetal anomalies are the basis for nearly 100% of Poland’s abortions, the court ruling effectively bans abortion completely in that country, which is already led by an extreme right, anti-LGBTQIA+ government. That ruling sparked massive protests on the streets of Warsaw, leading to police using pepper spray against the protesters.

Amnesty International came out against the declaration, calling it “another giant step backwards for reproductive rights.” They also called the ruling in Poland part of a “coordinated, systemic wave of attacks on women’s human rights.”

This is all happening as the Senate moves closer to forcing the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States mere days before the election, and with over fifty six million voters already having cast their ballots. With this hypocritical confirmation, a new, radically right wing Supreme Court is almost certain to overturn Roe v. Wade at the earliest opportunity. 

Call your Senators and urge them to vote against a nominee whose confirmation will send our country back to the days of back alley abortions. And urge them to condemn the Trump administration's goal of aligning with the most repressive, anti-woman, anti-LGBTQIA+ regimes in the world. This is not the company the majority of Americans wish to keep. 

Make your voice heard, and please, VOTE.