Editor’s note: This is a letter to the editor from Russian pro-life group Warriors for Life.
In May of this year, Russian Parliament (State Duma) registered a bill N527279-6 “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in order to protect the interests of a minor or a person duly recognized as incompetent.” Behind this name hides an official law on the introduction of forced abortions for disabled throughout gestation.
The bill was initiated by deputies of the ruling party “United Russia”, which proposes to allow parents, guardians and directors of boarding schools to request through court an abortion for disabled adult women (age of majority in Russia is 18 years).
It is important to draw attention to the fact that Russia has already introduced compulsory abortion for this category of people (adults, unfit to plead). According to the already existing law “On the basis of health protection in the Russian Federation”, adopted in November 2011, the court may order a pregnant woman to have an abortion on demand of a legal representative, “if she cannot express her own will.”
Under current law, such abortion can be made during pregnancy up to 12 weeks, with rape – up to 22 weeks or with medical indications – until delivery. With the new bill that is the question of the child’s life will be decided by only the legal representative (parents, guardians, directors of boarding for disabled), and the judge, while opinion of the pregnant woman will be ignored in the decision. Moreover, the new law will allow performing abortion until birth.
The authors of this bill propose that courts decide within 5 days after receipt of the statement from the legal representative. Thus, these cases will be examined faster than the cases of rapists, murderers and terrorists. Why do MPs want the matter about the murder of an unborn child to be adopted so quickly?
It turns out that dysfunctional women are denied the right to appeal, which even serial killers have. An appeal may be submitted only by the legal representative, but if he demanded an abortion, it is unlikely that he will request to reverse this decision.
Where did this bill come from? Russian pro-life members propose two versions. First, pregnant women recognized as incompetent hide pregnancy from administration of boarding schools until 12 weeks, after which an abortion is not possible (unless the pregnancy resulted from rape or therapeutic abortion). Perhaps directors of boarding schools lobbied the bill through the deputies of the ruling party to have more opportunities to get rid of the “problems” in connection with pregnancies of students of their institutions. The second version: the lobby is a business of so-called “fetal therapy.” The basis of fetal therapy is the removal and use of tissue fn human embryos and fetuses, whose life is artificially interrupted at different stages of pregnancy (usually at 15-22 weeks). Fetal – germ – cells are injected into the body for people suffering from various diseases, as well as for “rejuvenation” of the aging organism, and even used in the production of cosmetics. This is a serious business.
In Russia, a major lobbyist for fetal therapy is an academician Gennady Suhih. On December 10, 2000, he was issued a patent for his methods of preparing cell transplant of fetal tissues (patent number 2160112). Gennady Suhih headed Scientific Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia. On March 10, 2011 this center in Moscow was visited by the wife of U.S. Vice President Dr. Jill Biden. Suhih welcomed second lady of the USA and the accompanying delegation.
Where doe academician Suhih get cells for his drugs? Only from the bodies of children killed in late-term abortions, there are no other choices. Pro-life members fear that this fact is behind the initiative of the State Duma.
MPs go on vacation July 15, and then return to work in mid-September.
Leader of Russian pro life movement “Warriors of Life” Dmitry Baranov visited the Russian parliament, urging deputies to reject this bill. He walked into offices of deputies, gave them texts of letters, but he had not receive any clear support from anyone. Basically, the deputies responded with generalities.
Natalia Vinogradova from Moscow created a petition in English, which anyone can sign here.
Dmitry Baranov, a pro-life member from St. Petersburg, who twice visited the United States to participate in the March for Life (2013 and 2014) is asked Americans for help. He offers to arrange a demonstration outside the Russian embassies and consulates with the request not to accept this law. Of course, such a demonstration can be held not only in America, but also in any other country.
A year ago in Russia pro-life movement “Warriors of Life” held demonstrations at the Irish Embassy in Moscow, joining the international support for Irish children. Two people during the perfectly legal action at the Irish embassy were arrested and later paid a fine. They were not afraid to participate because they are hurt when any children are killed: Russian, Irish, Chinese, blacks … Now they are asking for help of friends from other countries so Russia does not turn into a concentration camp. After all forced abortions of people recognized as incompetent – is the practice of the Nazis in Auschwitz! Russian pro-life members tell their MPs: “No to Fascism!”
Pro-life movement in Russia requires assistance for activities against the adoption of the bill. To get in contact, email rulife@lycos.com.
