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We have no
stance - JA Gov on Abortion.
February 11, 2008: Jamaica's Minister of Health and
the Environment, Honourable Rudyard Spencer, has said
the Government was neither for nor against abortion, but was
acting merely as a facilitator, to encourage wider debate
around the issue. The statement came in an attempt to
clarify his the Government's position on abortion, following
claims by religious and civic groups that the Government was
moving to legalise the controversial medical practise.
He described as discouraging, claims by religious groups
that a Bill was being fast tracked through Parliament to
make abortion legal.
"There is absolutely no Bill on abortion before the House.
What we have is the report from a committee that was
established to look into the issue and to make
recommendations to Parliament. Before the matter is taken to
the House for a conscience vote, we want all the groups who
want to have a say to come before the Committee and make
their input. We want wide consultation and debate on this
issue and we want to include as many people as possible."
Minister Spencer said the report had been commissioned in
2005 and the new Government was treating the matter
seriously in moving the discussion forward.
The Minister was accompanied at the press conference by
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester.
