Ronan Mullen, the Irish senator and individual member of ECPM, and Luca Volonte of Italy, led the assembly in passing amendments which totally reversed the report, from a pro-abortion attack on conscientious objection to a defence of conscientious objection. Also Valeriu Ghiletchi (Moldova, member of ECPM) was present and reacted on a few issues during the meeting. Christine McCafferty, the report's British author and her fellow pro-abortion assembly-members were therefore forced to vote against their own report.

We are glad and happy that some of our partners, associates and collaborators of the ECPM also played an important role in this realization. Our associated member CARE for Europe worked in an extensive awareness raising campaign and developed suggestions for amendments. Together with the European Center for Law and Justice they where very effective. 

The final resolution is as follows:

The right to conscientious objection in lawful medical care
Resolution 1763 (2010) [1]

1. No person, hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion, the performance of a human miscarriage, or euthanasia or any act which could cause the death of a human foetus or embryo, for any reason.

2. The Parliamentary Assembly emphasises the need to affirm the right of conscientious objection together with the responsibility of the state to ensure that patients are able to access lawful medical care in a timely manner. The Assembly is concerned that the unregulated use of conscientious objection may disproportionately affect women, notably those having low incomes or living in rural areas.

3. In the vast majority of Council of Europe member states, the practice of conscientious objection is adequately regulated. There is a comprehensive and clear legal and policy framework governing the practice of conscientious objection by healthcare providers ensuring that the interests and rights of individuals seeking legal medical services are respected, protected and fulfilled.

4. In view of member states' obligation to ensure access to lawful medical care and to protect the right to health, as well as the obligation to ensure respect for the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion of healthcare providers, the Assembly invites Council of Europe member states to develop comprehensive and clear regulations that define and regulate conscientious objection with regard to health and medical services, which:

4.1. guarantee the right to conscientious objection in relation to participation in the procedure in question;

4.2. ensure that patients are informed of any objection in a timely manner and referred to another healthcare provider;

4.3. ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment, in particular in cases of emergency.

More information can be found here.

[1] Assembly debate on 7 October 2010 (35th Sitting) (see Doc. 12347, report of the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mrs McCafferty, and Doc. 12389, opinion of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, rapporteur: Mrs Circene). Text adopted by the Assembly on 7 October 2010 (35th Sitting).