AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA

July 6, 2007

Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth St. NE
Washington, DC 20017

Dear Bishop Skylstad:

I am writing in response to the July 2 statement from the U.S. Catholic Bishops on Amnesty International's (AI's) sexual and reproductive rights policy and its specific attention to aspects of abortion.

First, I believe strongly that we should not allow divergent views on any one issue to undermine our shared commitment to work together to end human suffering around the world. Through the years and despite differences of perspective, the Catholic church and Amnesty, though a secular organization, have stood as allies on fundamental questions of human dignity, especially in our shared opposition to the death penalty and our joint work to free prisoners of conscience jailed for their religious beliefs. We have accomplished a great deal together. It remains my fervent hope that we will continue to act upon our common devotion to these causes by working jointly on behalf of victims of abuse and torture, even though we cannot expect to agree on each and every issue.

In this spirit I wish to correct the misunderstanding conveyed in the bishops' statement which incorrectly asserted that AI has adopted a "pro-abortion stand." In fact, Amnesty International's policy on sexual and reproductive rights seeks to ensure that women and men can exercise their sexual and reproductive rights free from coercion, discrimination and violence. In doing so it responds to the human suffering caused by abuses of these rights. Defending the right of women to sexual and reproductive integrity in the face of grave human rights violations, AI does not promote abortion as a universal right but recognizes instead the right of women to be free of fear, threat and coercion as they manage the consequences of rape and other grave human rights violations.

AI will not advocate "abortion on demand," nor do we counsel individuals as to what choice they should make on abortion. We take no position as to whether abortion is right or wrong, nor on its legalization generally. Instead our position is focused on three areas of concern: opposition to imprisonment or other criminal sanctions for women or providers of abortion; support for medical treatment for women who suffer complications from unsafe abortions, and within reasonable gestational limits, support for women who seek abortion in cases of rape, incest or to preserve her life or when pregnancy poses a grave risk to her health.

Under this policy, AI will, as it always does, research and act on the most grave human rights cases. Nevertheless, AI continues to fervently oppose forced abortion, coerced sterilization, honor killings, human trafficking and other human rights abuses against women. We oppose, too, the coercion, isolation, and abuse that many women who have suffered violence face. And, we believe that those women who have survived rape, incest, or who face grave risk to their health or lives due to pregnancy should not be judged for their choices; within reasonable gestational limits and without force or coercion, they must be free to determine whether to continue the pregnancy.

This policy is consistent with our mission as a worldwide, secular and democratic movement defending and promoting universal human rights.

Finally, I want to set the record straight on AI's position on laws against partial birth abortions. The bishops' statement misstated the facts. AI does not seek to define gestational limitations on abortion. We recognize instead that states may impose reasonable gestational limitations on access to abortion. However, because AI does oppose imprisonment and criminal sanctions for women and providers, AI opposes the specific provisions of the federal law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Carhart that criminalizes doctors who perform particular types of abortions.

AI's global Campaign to Stop Violence Against Women provides the context for this particular aspect of our broader policy on sexual and reproductive rights. Through this work we seek to end the widespread and terrible injustices of violence against women, which can lead to unwanted pregnancies.

We would be grateful for the church's support in this vital work to end violence against women but we understand that on some aspects of our work we may, as good friends often do, agree to disagree. Nevertheless, because we share many more human rights concerns of far reaching significance, Amnesty International remains hopeful that our longstanding partnership, despite our differences on some issues, can continue in the spirit of tolerance and respect.

Yours truly,

Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA

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