In April, a pro-life student university group launched a legal challenge against the University of Aberdeen after its attempts at affiliation were repeatedly rejected by the Students’ Union based on their policy barring pro-life societies on campus.
The Aberdeen Life Ethics Society (ALES) submitted a new society application for affiliation to Aberdeen University’s Societies Union Committee (AUSA). It received an email which said: ‘We unfortunately are unable to affiliate Aberdeen Life Ethics Society as you are directly against an AUSA policy and so we are not allowed to affiliate you. The policy in question can be found at https://www.ausa.org.uk/resources/6045/ AUSA-is-Pro-Choice/ and does not lapse until 2020.’
Aberdeen University’s policy on Religion and Belief, and in particular its statement on ethics and diversity, states: ‘The University is also committed to providing a learning, working and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members are respected, and which is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation and all forms of harassment and bullying.’
Alex Mason, a PHD student and member of ALES, said: ‘The issue began during student elections when some candidates were strongly expressing their commitment to abortion rights. I tried to ask a question at the election hustings on why the right to choose an abortion trumps the right of a baby to live. I was told: ‘We don’t need to answer the question because of AUSA’s “pro-choice” policy.’ Security was called by a student officer when Alex asked his question.
Quick abortion
Meanwhile, draft guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in conjunction with the pro-abortion Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists will result in women being rushed into abortions. The need for counselling prior to abortion will be removed, and women will be encouraged to self-refer for an abortion instead of speaking to a doctor.
