The Peruvian Congress approved a law on 9th November that establishes that human life begins with conception, so a conceived, unborn child must have his or her rights protected from the beginning. Until then, the legislation determined that only after birth are people subjects of law in Peru.
The law establishes that the conceived, unborn child has his or her own identity-including a unique and unrepeatable genetic identity-and a personality which is independent from his or her mother. He or she has the right to dignity, to life and to integrity like any individual human being.
While pro-life activists celebrated the new law’s approval all over the South American country, they know that the struggle to make it really effective will go on for a long time. Many fear it might be considered a “declaratory,” ineffective piece of legislation.
Susan Vargas, who heads the 40 Days for Life campaign in Peru told OSV News that “the law raises awareness about the real rights an unborn child has. It is important not only for pro-life activists, but also for physicians who face complex demands in their daily work.”
Picture: (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)