Liechtenstein battling against abortion: EU pressure applied?

This week, the Principality of Liechtenstein will decide by a national referendum whether to ratify a draft bill, which would legalise abortion in the small European country.

Liechtenstein belongs to a small number of European countries where abortion is illegal, including Ireland and Poland; but all of which have been under a great deal of pressure recently from the EU to legalise abortion.

Earlier this year, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban began a campaign with his center-right party that promoted adoption through a billboard campaign, which was partially financed by EU funds. Shortly after their release, European Commissioner Viviane Reding fired back against the poster campaign saying, "The member states of the European Union are not allowed to use EU-funds for advertising against abortion." She continued, "The European Commission, therefore, has requested that Budapest remove the posters, if it does not want to run the risk of a penalty."

The Hungarian posters did not promote abortion, but rather sought to make a case for adoptions. The poster showed a beautiful picture of a baby in the womb, followed by the words, "I might understand that you're not ready for me yet. But think twice, and put me up for adoption. Let me live!"

French Socialist MEP Sylvie Guillaume agreed with Reding and said that the poster campaign was "incompatible with EU values." She said, "Using EU money from the Progress programme or any other EU source to promote an anti-abortion campaign is an abuse and is incompatible with EU values."

The public referendum is being held on September 18th, which will determine whether or not the unborn will be protected under the law in Liechtenstein. A new parliamentary bill proposes to introduce abortion on demand, whereby abortion would be allowed up until the 12th week of pregnancy and until birth in cases where the unborn child is disabled.

On August 15th, 2011, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein gave a speech and declared his opposition to the bill, and vowed to veto a bill should the majority support the referendum. The spokeswoman for Prince Alois', Silvia Hassler-De Vos said that the Prince "wanted to send a clear signal that abortion isn't an acceptable solution for an unwanted pregnancy."

Several pro-life organisations have come together to support Liechtenstein and Prince Alois in the battle to protect human life in their country. New posters have been put up throughout Liechtenstein, that state: "Abortion kills the child and harms the mother. Therefore: choose life!" Also, flyers have been mailed by post to all households in Liechtenstein asking them to protect mothers and unborn babies in the upcoming referendum, and therefore choose life.

Please keep Liechtenstein in your prayers. We pray that they will be strong and preserve in the battle against abortion.