Caribbean groups urge Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica to defend their pro-life laws

We, the undersigned Caribbean groups representing thousands of Caribbean nationals, have become aware of a constitutional challenge against laws that protect the life of the unborn child (abortion laws) in Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica. This legal action is part of a coordinated, foreign-funded campaign to devalue family life in Caribbean nations.

We sincerely hope that the courts, Governments and people of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica will reject the flawed and illogical arguments used by the pro-abortion Caribbean campaigners who want sovereign nations to remove laws that protect mothers and their babies.

In their April 29, 2024, press release, the pro-abortion Caribbean campaigners argue that because the abortion law was enacted “during British colonial rule”, it should be repealed. Antigua and Barbuda’s Wills Act (1872) and Dominica’s Real Property Act (1873) were enacted during British colonial rule. The age of a law does not make it irrelevant. The same 1873 law that prohibits abortion also prohibits rape, abduction of women, and murder.  The law is still valid.

The pro-abortion campaigners use emotional appeals to demographics which was a common tactic in the pro-abortion script of 1930s England and 1960’s/70’s USA. They complain that “abortion disproportionately impacts poor women and girls. Similarly, the 1930s English campaigners advocated abortion as their solution to the needs of poor women, rather than promoting job training, better pay, housing, or other material support that could help a mother keep her baby. In the United States, black women currently account for 38% of all abortions although blacks comprise only 12% of the population (source: CDC). Are the modern Caribbean campaigners similarly motivated by racist eugenics thinking that poor black lives don’t matter?

The pro-abortion campaigners claim that the law is used “arbitrarily to prosecute women, girls and their health care providers”. In two of the three cases they cited, the mothers were underage girls, victims of statutory rape. The campaigners claim to be concerned about “women’s and girls’ bodily autonomy” and yet are silent on this glaring criminal violation.  Removing the abortion law covers up crimes and allows perpetrators to go free as the evidence has been removed. Is this the intention of the pro-abortion Caribbean campaigners?

The pro-abortion campaigners falsely claim that criminalising abortion forces a mother to “undergo risky procedures that can lead to harmful, sometimes fatal results”. It is well-documented that abortion procedures are inherently risky even when carried out by trained medical practitioners. Every successful abortion is fatal -an unborn baby is killed.  Abortion is not and can never be considered health care.

The pro-abortion Caribbean campaigners wrongly suggest that there is an international obligation for Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, to legalise abortion. There is none. The sovereign governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica are free to accept or disregard the statements of the UN Human Rights Committee and the CEDAW Committee which are non-governmental international entities whose utterances are non-binding.

The campaigners claim that the US Supreme Court ruling of Dobbs v Jackson (2023) undermines the human rights of girls and women. Let us be clear, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution never granted any right to abortion.  Neither should any Caribbean constitution. Any Caribbean government allowing such a right, ironically and tragically sides with the colonial past from which the campaigners claim to be seeking to free Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica.  Former colonial plantation slave masters gave themselves the “right” to determine the value of the lives of their slaves, killing or preserving whom they wished.

We urge the Governments and people of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica to defend the right to life of their most vulnerable citizens – the unborn child- and their mothers. Every effort must be made to encourage responsible sexual choices and behaviours by the whole society. Every effort must be made to help male and female adolescents make wise decisions which have lifelong implications. Every effort must be made to assist mothers in crisis pregnancies to obtain practical and counselling support both during pregnancy and after the baby’s birth. Every human life is of inherent value.

Signed:

ANGUILLA:    Social Solutions

BAHAMAS:     Optimist Bahamas

BARBADOS:    Family-Faith-Freedom, Barbados

BARBADOS:    Praise Academy of Dance Barbados

BELIZE:           National Evangelical Association of Belize

CAYMAN:        Christian Association

CURACAO:      Proteha Famia (Protect the Family)

JAMAICA:       Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society

JAMAICA:        Students for Life

TRINDAD and TOBAGO: Trinidad and Tobago Response

LUCIA:       Caribbean Centre for Family and Human Rights

VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES:Advocates St. Vincent                               and the Grenadines

Caribbean CAUSE (15 territories)