One of us

Its title is "One of us", and refers to the full dignity and totality of human rights that are due to the unborn child. Its declared objective is the "explicit protection of the dignity and right to life of each and every human being from conception onwards in the sectors that fall within the competence of the European Union". These are the essential features of the "Citizens’ Initiative" presented at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels on 29 March. Using a new instrument for the consultation of citizens which was created by the Lisbon Treaty and comes into force on 1st April 2012, the Initiative is aimed at collecting at least a million signatures, so as to bring the issue of the defence and promotion of life into the central institutions of the EU. The Citizens’ Initiative, disciplined by a specific regulation (211/2011), makes provision for the right of a promoter group to present to the Commission a proposal for a legislative act, supported by at least a million signatures coming from at least seven member states: the legislative act in question (that would then pass to the scrutiny of EU Parliament and Council) must regard the implementation of the treaties on which the "common home" is founded; must enter into the sphere of competence of the Commission itself; and must not be contrary to the values of the Union. Once the object of the Initiative has been presented, the Commission has two months’ time to express whether it is admissible or not; if it is admissible the promoters have a year’s time to collect signatures. After that the Commission is obliged to hold an audition to listen to the group that has organized the Initiative, and then furnish a motivated response within three months.The collection of signatures for the Initiative denominated "One of Us" could begin towards the end of May or in June. Already the convergence round it of some thirty pro life organizations that participated in the "Week for Life" held in Brussels in recent days has been registered. The document circulated at the "Week for Life" and dedicated to the Initiative for life, states in particular: "The aim is to obtain what is indicated in the request made to the EU Commission, on which the support of European citizens is asked", namely "the application in EU law of the principle that human dignity and the right to life regard every human being ever since conception and the consequent legislative commitment of the European institutions not to fund activities that presuppose the destruction of human embryos, especially in the field of research, aid to development and public health". A further and interesting emphasis follows: "But, even before this, the aim of the Initiative is to be a cultural and educational instrument that may reawaken the spirit of the European people and prevent their acquiescence or resignation in the overwhelming aggressions against human life". "If the Commission in Brussels fails to do what it is asked to do, or if the legislative process launched by it fails to achieve its hoped-for conclusion", this Citizens’ Initiative "could nonetheless achieve a great result if the popular support shown for it is sufficiently numerous and if it is accompanied by many cultural and educational actions", including publications, seminars, presences in the media and in debates.Last but not least, the document indicates a "strategy of gradualism". In view of the difficulties already ascertained in the pro life field, which the Initiative could run into, it maintains: "The task of reflection and consequent conduct" that is registered "with regard to the beginning of human life is of such importance as to distinguish a whole period. It is therefore inconceivable that the right to life in its completeness can be recognized in the short term. A long effort needs to be made. That imposes the need to accept the method of gradualism. If it is not possible to achieve the final objective immediately, we must not renounce pursuing partial objectives". The commitment to life and to the common good – the promoters seem to be saying – must never be discouraged.