Miami, Fla., Oct 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Pro-life experts are warning of an October 11 gathering in Badajoz, Spain, organized by the Latin American Organization of Youth (LAOY) to formalize the Latin American Convention on the Rights of Young People, which they point out could become a legal vehicle for pushing the anti-life agenda in the region.
According to Magaly Llaguno of Human Life International, the LAOY has been working since 1994 and includes representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Although it is not known how many countries have approved the Convention, it is known that "the leaders of the LAOY have been communicating for some time with the highest levels for some time" of traditionally pro-abortion organizations such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Pathfinder.
The Convention defends gender equality with terminology linked to the promotion of homosexuality, the right to explicit sexual education, the creation of a governmental organization that would develop, coordinate and evaluate public policies for young people and legal measures.
"It’s clear that we’re dealing with another CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) but focused this time on young people. This is the reason why anti-Catholic organizations, including ‘Catholics for a Free Choice,’ have been creating youth activist groups," Llaguno said.
The LAOY gathering will take place a few days before the Latin American Summit of Heads of State, which will take place October 14 and 15 in Salamanca. Pro-life leaders are concerned that the Convention might be presented at that gathering for ratification by all countries in the region.