MEPs back 'fundamental right' to abortion

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have backed a resolution calling for a 'right' to abortion to be include in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The resolution, which also attacked the US Supreme Court for overturning a controversial 70s judgment enshrining a constitutional right to abortion, passed with 324 votes to 155.

Although the resolution was supported by the bloc, it is symbolic and will not affect the determinations made by individual states on abortion. Health policies are the competence of member states.

Other resolutions submitted by pro-life MEPs sought to defend the right to life, in line with Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but these were defeated.

A spokeswoman for CARE said:

"It is sad to see this call for a 'fundamental right' to abortion. The most precious human right of all, and the right from which all other rights extend, is the right to life.

"We pray for a day when Western leaders will esteem and protect the most vulnerable citizens of all in our society - preborn babies."