“Why Declare Someone is not a Human Being When We Know Otherwise?”

by Stephen Woodworth, MP.  November 21, 2013.

OTTAWA – Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre today tabled a motion calling on the House of Commons to affirm that every Canadian law must be interpreted in a manner which recognizes the equal worth and dignity of everyone who is in fact a human being.

Citing the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights principle that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…” Woodworth said: “Laws like subsection 223(1), which falsely condemn as non-human those we know to be human, are savage and inhumane, a throwback to a more barbarous age.”

“No ideology, no political interest and no personal desire justifies such a law,” he said. Referring to growing up in the 1960’s, labelled the “Age of Aquarius,” Woodworth pointed out that it was unimaginable then that Parliament in the twenty-first century would shelter such a law.

The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada has already refused to support Woodworth’s similarly worded proposal for a Motion “that the equal worth and dignity of everyone must be recognized by Canadian law based on their inherent nature as a human being.”  They are expected to oppose any legal recognition of the equal worth and dignity of every human being.

Under Parliamentary rules Woodworth cannot, without consent, bring this Motion to a vote but said he was proposing it to “draw a line in the sand.”

Woodworth says his new Motion underlines the reason why it is important for Canadians to refuse to accept any law which designates as non-human anyone we know to be human.

Source: Media Release
Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament