Protection of Conscience Project

Canadian Physicians for Life supports the Protection of Conscience Project.  The Project operates a web site in order to

• advocate for protection of conscience legislation

• provide legislative draftsmen with useful information

• promote clarification and understanding of the issues involved to assist in reasoned public discussion

• act as a clearing house fo reports from people who have been discriminated against for reasons of conscience

• facilitate co-operation among people working for protection of conscience

• please visit www.consciencelaws.org

PROJECT WEBSITE

Repression of conscience- examples of discrimination and coercion

Countries with laws - texts of statutes providing protection for conscientious objectors

Position papers, policies and proposed laws - texts of documents and proposed legislation

Examining the Issues - background information, legal and ethical commentary

Media & Notices - news releases and notices of interest

Bibliography & Glossary - glossary of controversial terms

Model Statue - an example of a protection of conscience law

Contact Us - site form for comments

Victim Survey - survey for people who have experienced coercion or discrimination arising from conscientious objection

What are protection of conscience laws?  Protection of conscience laws ensure that people cannot be forced to participate in medical procedures to which they object for reasons of conscience. Such procedures may include abortion, artificial contraception, sterilization, artificial reproduction, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, human experimentation, etc.

An adequate protection of conscience law should protect conscientious objectors from coercive hiring or employment practices, discrimination and other forms of punishment or pressure. It should also include protection from civil liability.

Why are these laws needed?   Protection of conscience laws are needed because powerful interests are inclined to force health care workers and others to participate, directly or indirectly, in morally controversial procedures. Nurses and others have already been denied employment, dismissed or penalized because of objections to abortion and artificial contraception.

The same pressure will almost certainly be applied to force people to participate in reproductive technology, eugenic screening, and in euthanasia and assisted suicide, particularly where such things are legal or tolerated.

Email: protection@consciencelaws.org