* PREMIER’S COMMENTS ON PROSTITUTION ARE DECEIVING - One cannot help being concerned about the flagrant promotion of prostitution by Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane. She tends to keep referring to the opinions and solutions being promoted by the pro-decriminalisation lobby. The comment that significant sections of society would prefer legal state-regulated "prostitution zones," is deceiving. Research has shown that 79% of South Africans are opposed to the legalization of prostitution and so these kinds of comments do not represent the facts.

There is ample scientific evidence that prostitution is an inherently harmful practise and that the vast majority of people who are involved in it would exit if they could find alternatives. The emotional trauma of prostitution is the same whether high class or low class, legal or illegal, whether in a brothel, massage parlour, strip club, or in the street. Two thirds of prostitutes studied across the world had the same symptoms of the most traumatised groups ever studied by psychologists – a condition also found in combat veterans, women who have been raped and state sponsored torture survivors.

In prostitution women have sex with men they would otherwise never have sex with. The money therefore acts as a force that coerces the woman into sex and not as a form of consent. Prostitution is not a choice because the basic elements involved in a choice are not present: equality with the buyers, physical safety and real alternatives. There is no equality because one person has both the economic power and the social power. It is therefore not surprising that the UN definition on human trafficking basically equates prostitution with human trafficking.

All citizens of South Africa, including those people involved in prostitution, already enjoy all of the human rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution. To try to equate human rights and dignity with the prospect of having to engage in prostitution to survive is really grasping at straws. As Premier Mokanyane herself mentions, those who are practising prostitution are doing so because there is no other means of survival for them.

To claim that the decriminalization of prostitution would help promote the equality, dignity and safety of women is ignorant and naïve. In a recent news report in Germany, a country where prostitution is well regulated and legal, a woman was denied unemployment benefits because she had not at least first tried prostitution, before claiming that she could not find a job.

In the area of Australia where prostitution is legalised, some legal brothels do not provide pillows because a pillow is considered a lethal weapon and brothels can be sued for that. There are no sheets, because people can be tied down with sheets. So men are turning to the ever exploding illegal industry around the demarcated red light area. One can regulate the legal side to the most intimate detail and the illegal trade around these areas simply explodes.

We kept looking for references to the Swedish model in the report on Premier’s address. The Swedish model is firmly based on human rights and keeps prostitution a crime but focuses on prosecuting the buyer. This is the most successful approach to the worldwide prostitution problem today and its successes have led to Holland shutting down more than 30% of their red light areas.

DFL is of the opinion that by decriminalising prostitution the S.A. Government will be throwing the poor of the country to the wolves and escaping their social responsibility to provide healthy alternatives. Government should fulfil its social responsibility of helping to provide proper employment opportunities for all South Africans, and support rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration programs for those already caught up in prostitution.

Doctors for Life International, is an association of more than 1600 medical doctors. DFL is actively involved in helping people that are caught up in prostitution and has rendered expert evidence to the Constitutional Court, Law Reform Commission and Parliament, regarding the social and psychological consequences of prostitution. For more visit www.dfl.org.za
(Doctors For Life International Press Release, 14 Sep 2009) (to index)

* BACKSTREET ABORTION RIFE BECAUSE OF ABORTION-ON-DEMAND! - Backstreet abortion continues to flourish despite the fact that the practice of abortion-on-demand was legalised 12 years ago. Based on statistics from other countries where abortion-on-demand was legalised, DFL warned the government at the time the law was passed, that legalising abortion-on-demand would NOT reduce the incidence of illegal abortions, and that it would have the opposite effect instead – namely, that of increasing illegal abortion.

Legalising abortion-on-demand also caused the practice of abortion to be legitimised, and now backstreet abortion seems to have been integrated into the proverbial woodwork of legalised abortion practice. DFL is inundated by reports of illegal abortion practices in both rural and urban areas. eThekwini Municipality recently arrested several bogus doctors involved in performing illegal abortions. One such "bogus doctor" was found with R1 million in his bank account, indicating how lucrative the practice of illegal abortions in South Africa can be. DFL commends and supports the eThekwini Municipality’s efforts to curb backstreet abortion.

Contrary to the beliefs of some activist groups, backstreet abortion is not fuelled by the large percentage of healthcare professionals refusing to participate in the practice of abortion. On the contrary, the availability of abortion is proved by the fact that more than 80 000 legal abortions are performed annually in South Africa.

Separating legal from illegal abortion has become difficult, especially because of the widespread availability of Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec). Misoprostol is the primary drug used for abortion in South Africa and is used to induce the birth of the unborn baby, who then dies due his/her prematurity. Misoprostol is widely used in government abortion facilities and seems to be dished out like "Smarties" by backstreet abortionists.

DFL shares the Health Professions Council’s concerns regarding the increasing number of people faking their qualifications, and the "flood of advertisements" by bogus doctors claiming to be experts in abortion. Backstreet abortion is clearly rife and happening more than ever before, and legalised abortion-on-demand has not curbed its incidence.
(Doctors For Life International Media Release, 3 Sep 2009) (to index)

* PARTICIPATE IN A LIFE CHAIN IN YOUR CITY – 4 OCTOBER - Every 2 minutes of every working day, a pre-born baby is murdered in South Africa.

Over 850 000 babies have been legally killed through abortion in South Africa, since 1 February 1997. There are many women facing a crisis pregnancy in your city. They need to be reached and helped. Many women's lives are being wrecked by the devastating physical and psychological consequences of abortion.

On Sunday, the 4th of October is International Life Chain Sunday. God's Word commands us: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." (Proverbs 31:8).

The blood of innocent pre-born babies, killed by abortion is polluting our land (Psalm 106:37-38).

Participate in a Life Chain - a Pro-life placard protest and time of prayer asking God to have mercy on South Africa.
"If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" 2 Chronicles 7:14

Inform your friends and congregation and join a Life Chain in your city on Sunday 4 October. Lives are at stake.
"Rescue those who are led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter." Proverbs 24:11

Through the Life Chain we pray that the Lord will:

• Bring conviction of sin to those who have worked to legalise this slaughter of the innocent;
• Persuade abortionists to repent from this evil;
• Comfort mothers who are going through a crisis pregnancy by showing that many Christians do care;
• Encourage medical personnel to have no part in the killing of pre-born babies;
• Save the lives of many pre-born babies who are scheduled for abortions.

Cape Town: Sunday, 4 October, 2-4pm. Buitengracht Street, near entrance to Waterfront. Contact: Africa Christian Action: 021 -689 4480 or info@christianaction.org.za.
Durban: Sunday, 4 October. Umgeni Rd. Contact Christians for Truth: 032 - 481 5512 or mail@cft.org.za.
(Africa Christian Action, Sep 2009) (to index)

* UN GAZA REPORT MAKES MOCKERY OF HISTORY - President Shimon Peres said Wednesday that the Goldstone report, which accuses Israel of committing war crimes during its military offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip earlier this year, "makes a mockery of history."
The president issued a stinging rebuke to the report, which was commissioned by the United Nations and authored by Richard Goldstone, a South African war crimes prosecutor who investigated Israeli and Palestinian conduct during Operation Cast Lead.

Though the report accuses both Israel and Hamas of carrying out war crimes during the three-week campaign in Gaza, it focuses primarily on Israel's actions during the fighting.
"The report in practice grants legitimacy to terrorism, premeditated shooting and killing while ignoring the duty and the right of a state to defend itself, something which is explicitly stated in the UN charter," Peres said.

"The Hamas terror organization is the one that launched the war, and it also committed other horrific crimes," the president said. "Hamas has employed terrorism for years against Israeli children. It has detonated explosive devices in the heart of Israeli cities, harmed civilians, launched over 12,000 missiles and mortar shells aimed at innocent civilians with one clear goal in mind - to kill."

"Israel evacuated its soldiers and citizens from Gaza, opened its crossings, and aided in the rehabilitation of the Strip," Peres added. "After the Israeli evacuation, Gaza was overrun by force by a murderous, illegitimate terrorist organization - Hamas - which launched a mutiny against the legitimate Palestinian Authority."
"Instead of building Gaza and worrying about the welfare of its residents, Hamas built offensive tunnels against Israel and brutally used Palestinian children and civilians in order to conceal terrorists and hide weapons," Peres said.

The president said criticism against Israel's actions fails to offer effective alternatives that can stifle rocket fire against the country's outlying towns.
"It is a fact that the criticism leveled against Israel's actions in response to Hezbollah fire from Lebanon and Hamas fire from Gaza and against the building of the separation fence did not stop the shooting in the south, the shooting in the north, and the planting of explosives in the center," Peres said.

"IDF operations are what brought about economic prosperity in the West Bank, liberated Lebanon from the wrath of Hezbollah, and enabled Gaza residents to return to their daily routines."

The findings of the UN report constitute "a prize for terrorism," aides to Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Israel Radio on Wednesday.
"The comparison between those who foment terrorism and its victims is unconscionable," an Israeli defense official told Israel Radio.
The defense establishment is making efforts to extend legal aid to officers who may face indictment on war crimes charges abroad, Israel Radio reported.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said the findings of the UN report were predetermined, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.
Ayalon said the report "is a cynical attempt at role reversal in blaming Israel for war crimes instead of terrorist organizations." He added that Israel would work to enlist the support of Western democracies in a campaign "to prevent turning international law into a circus."
(Haaretz.com, 16 Sep 2009) (to index)

* SLOVAKIA PRESIDENT SIGNS BILL INTO LAW TO INFORM WOMEN OF ABORTION’S RISKS - The president of the eastern European nation of Slovakia has signed into law a bill that would inform women of the dangers of and alternatives to abortion. The measure would also require parental consent before a teen can get an abortion.

The measure would also furnish women considering an abortion with information on the development of their unborn child. Similar legislation in dozens of states in the United States has proven effective in lowering the number of abortions.

President Ivan Gašparovic signed the bill into law on Tuesday after the nation's parliament voted to approve it.

Democratic Slovakia MP Ludmila Mušková, one of the sponsors of the measure, said women deserve to have a right to know about abortion's problems and options.
"A woman has the right to choose from several alternatives and shouldn't find herself in a situation in which she feels that she doesn't have her life in her own hands and there is no other solution [than abortion]," Mušková said, according to the Slovak Spectator.
The bill flies in the face of repeated pressure from the United Nations for Slovakia to do more to promote and expand abortion.
(LifeNews, 26 Aug 2009) (to index)

* PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT PROMISES AGAIN: NO ABORTION FUNDING BAN, NO HEALTH CARE BILL (USA) - The leader of the caucus of pro-life Democrats in the House is repeating the promise he made over the summer. If the pro-abortion Democratic leaders fail to include language to prevent abortion funding in the government-run health care bill, he and his colleagues will block the legislation.

That's the promise coming from Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat who has long been at the forefront of pro-life efforts.
"What I've told the speaker and the leadership and the administration is first of all you have to give us that vote," Stupak told CBN News about the desire for an amendment to stop the abortion funding.
"If you don't give us the vote, everything is off the table," he said.

Stupak is also concerned about bill language that would leave it up to the Obama administration or bureaucrats to determine if abortions are funded or abortion coverage mandated.
"I don't want any back door policies," he told CBN News.
"I'm just very cautious on this because, in every appropriations bill that we put our right to life riders (as we call them) to prevent public funds for abortions -- every time we've tried to do it this year, under this current administration, we've sort of been denied the opportunity to present our amendments or we have some watered down language.
"And we're very cautious and we want to see the language and we want to work with pro-life groups. We want to make sure we are doing everything right because this will be a policy for the whole of the United States," the pro-life Democrat continued.

Stupak told the Christian network the current abortion funding language in HR 3200 is a "drastic change from where we've been as a nation as far as public funding for abortions.
He said he and other pro-life lawmakers will not promise a vote on the final bill until they have a chance to read it and determine if it "does anything to jeopardize the sanctity of human life -- at the beginning of life or the end of life."
In July, Stupak told CBS News that a total of 40 Democrats could be prepared to vote against the final health care restructuring bill if it does not exclude abortion funding.
Stupak said he is confident he will have "a minimum of thirty nine" Democrats who will join him in opposing the bill.

"If there is not direct language and we are denied our amendment we will focus our attention on the rule," Stupak warned.
Stupak said the pro-life and moderate Democrats would "demand" an up or down on the abortion funding limits before allowing the health care bill to move forward.
Before a bill can be debated on the House floor, the House Rules Committee adopts the rules for debate and Stupak's warning could mean votes against the rule both in committee and on the floor before the debate on the bill could get underway. That would block the legislation and could defeat the entire bill.
Stupak's number of 40 Democrats likely includes the 20, including him, who signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in June saying they will not support any health care restructuring bill that does not explicitly prevent abortion funding and coverage.

Pelosi received another letter from four more Democrats who didn't make the same absolutist statement but urged that abortion limits be included.
(LifeNews, 10 Sep 2009) (to index)

* PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST SHOT DEAD IN MICHIGAN - A well-known activist of one of America's most influential Christian pro-life groups has been shot and killed in the U.S state of Michigan, officials confirmed to Worthy News in a statement Friday, September 11.

Jim Pouillon, a well known activist in the Owosso area and described as "a friend" of the group Operation Rescue was gunned early Friday, September 11, as he "peacefully held a picture of a baby with the word "Life" outside a high school in Owosso," fellow activists said.

A suspect was reportedly detained some 45 minutes after the shooting and was in police custody. "We are stunned by Jim's murder. We extend our condolences to the family and share in their grief over his loss. His life was characterized by his love and concern of the vulnerable, and he will be greatly missed," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
(Worthy News, 11 Sep 2009) (to index)