SWITZERLAND FACES ABORTION VOTE

 In Switzerland opportunities to speak for the life of the unborn are arising more than ever before. In spite of abortion being illegal (except when endangering the mothers' health), every sixth child in Switzerland is being aborted. This inconsistency between what is legal and what is taking place moved the government to formulate a new pro-choice bill, allowing the mother to abort her child for whichever 'plight' during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After the 12 week period abortion is allowed if a doctor has evaluated the mother's situation and considers her plight to be valid enough (eg. a psychological reason). She may then legally abort her child up to the day before delivery. Many Christian organisations in Switzerland are unitedly fighting this bill. They formulated an alternative bill, which gives protection to the unborn and simultaneously offers support to the mother in need. This has become a hot topic in newspapers and political TV discussions. Representatives from every pro-life organisation, also from CFT, are receiving many invitations to represent the rights of unborn children, in opposition to the pro-abortion lobbyists. They are giving talks on radio, etc. and furthermore organise "information evenings" for the public. These pro-lifers are standing for the truth in the frontline of this spiritual battle and need prayer support for wisdom and courage. They find that many people are simply refusing to hear and see the truth about abortion. A little booklet, "A new human being: Fate or Chance?" is being sent to every household in Switzerland to inform people of the truth. It contains facts about abortion, testimonies relating to it, as well as statements and arguments against its use.
On 2 June the Swiss public will vote, deciding whether one of these two bills will replace the previous law on abortion or not. The choice is: 'Legalisation of abortion', or 'Protection and help for both mother and child'. (Monika Dätwyler, member of "Mother and Child", 15 April)

"THE VALUE OF LIFE" IN SWITZERLAND - On 2 June a special vote (Abstimmung) will be held in Switzerland to decide whether to liberalise abortion or to protect the "Mother and Child". Addressing the annual general meeting of Christians for Truth in Switzerland, the founder of "Mutter & Kind", Dr Nicole Stern said that present abortion-on-demand suggestions put forward by the Swiss government means that "either the unborn are not human or some people's rights are not equal to others". Kjell Olsen of CFT South Africa told the meeting (held at the Zürich Business School on 27 April) that God's value of life, as clearly defined in the Bible, will not be changed by the vote on 2 June. Dr Guido Zäch, who runs a paraplegic organisation, spoke about euthanasia. He said that about 14,000 paraplegics have passed through his hands and only 9 expressed the wish to die. (CFT)