Tirana, May 14, 2024
Photo: knfsh.al
The Interreligious Council of Albania issued a statement last week, outlining its objections to the “Sexual and Reproductive Health Draft Law.”
The Council, chaired by His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, also includes Catholic, Evangelical, and Muslim representatives.
The Council established a working group of jurists, sociologists, theologians, and medical professionals to examine the bill, and its new statement is a result of their work. In particular, the Council objects to the fact that public consultation on the bill was initiated without prior consultation from religious communities and other interested parties.
The Council also objects to particular stipulations in the bill, as explained in its statement, addressed to Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the President:
Esteemed Recipients,
Based on its statutory rights, the Interreligious Council of Albania, having been informed by the media about the draft law "On Sexual and Reproductive Health," has established a working group comprised of representatives from five religious communities, consisting of specialists: jurists, sociologists, theologians, and medical professionals, and has worked to review it.
Following the analysis of the work of this group, through this letter, the Interreligious Council raises concern, before the Parliament and the Government, regarding the initiation of public consultation on this draft law without prior consultation with stakeholder groups, including Religious Communities, as well as for the lack of public presentation of the arguments that have led the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs to propose a draft law with negative effects on the health of individuals, children, families, and Albanian society as a whole. The numerous legal, medical, ethical, social, and theological arguments (attached) constitute the basis of our opposition to the draft law in the form it has been presented and call for its reconsideration based on:
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The prohibition of sterilization as a contraceptive method, except in cases where there is a medical indication, determined by a special medical commission and at the request of the adult.
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Encouraging childbirth by increasing care and support through more social, economic, educational, healthcare measures, etc.
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Increasing awareness against voluntary termination of pregnancy, except in cases where there are medical indications and the life of the mother is at risk, as determined by the special medical commission.
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Complete prohibition of surrogate motherhood in Albania.
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Protection of the concept of family with mother and father.
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Not replacing marital bond with the term “woman without a partner”
The Interfaith Council of Albania, as an interested group, requests the suspension of the consideration of the aforementioned draft law without its participation in the consultative sessions at the Ministry of Health; to be granted the right to present findings, recommendations, and objections regarding the draft law; as well as to be part of the public hearings on this draft law. Otherwise, the Interfaith Council requests that the draft law “On Sexual and Reproductive Health” not proceed to the Albanian Parliament. With the desire that our demands, representing the will and views of all our believers as part of the five official religious communities and Albanian society, receive due attention from you and, together, we work for a better and safer future for the younger generations with faith in God and the law for the common good.
May God bless Albania and all its citizens!
Success and prosperity in your work!
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