Global Call for Moratorium on Surrogacy Gains Momentum
In a significant move at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Italy and Chile spearheaded an initiative aiming to impose a worldwide moratorium on surrogacy. This campaign, aiming for a legally binding ban, was spotlighted during a session co-hosted by Italy, Chile, Cameroon, and the Vatican, with the legal advocacy group ADF International moderating the event.
Surrogacy faces criticism for potentially violating human rights by commodifying women’s reproductive abilities and prematurely separating children from their mothers. Concerns have been raised about the medical risks to surrogate mothers and possible exploitation. Additionally, the practice may impact the child’s psychological well-being and poses legal issues regarding parentage and nationality.
Eugenia Roccella, Italy’s Minister for Family, Natality and Equal Opportunities, emphasized the global implications of surrogacy, stating, “Surrogacy is no longer a matter confined to domestic legislation or individual choices. It has become a global phenomenon, increasingly shaped by international markets, cross-border arrangements, and profound inequalities within and between societies.”
UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, attended the event and highlighted the fundamental concerns surrogacy raises regarding human dignity and the commodification of women and children. She pointed out that fragmented national policies contribute to a global market that exploits vulnerable women and children. Alsalem remarked, “This declaration shows that policy action is possible.”
Giorgio Mazzoli, Director of UN Advocacy at ADF International, underscored the rapid expansion of surrogacy due to jurisdictional legal loopholes. He commented, “Today’s declaration marks an important step forward in building the international consensus needed to confront the grave human rights violations and abuses inherent in the practice.” Mazzoli called for global government support to protect women and children from exploitation by this industry.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
