Civil organizations in Bulgaria warn for the problems created by surrogate motherhood

Thursday 06 October 2011 16:01 The civil organization “Association community and values” and the Foundation “Center for legal aid - Voice in Bulgaria” sent a Statement to the governing authorities concerning the dangers of legalizing surrogate motherhood that the current legislation conceals.

In the sent Statement the civil organizations inform about the consequences of the legalization of the surrogate motherhood, among which: the interruption of the strong natural connection between the surrogate mother and the child; placing the rights of the receiving couple above the rights of the child and the surrogate mother, the full rights over the surrogate mother during the pregnancy, including to be forced to abort the child when diagnosed with disease or disorder and in some cases when the sex of the child does not coincide with the parents’ wish.

According to representatives of the civil organizations, the legalization of the surrogate motherhood leads to confusion of the family roles and relationships. They point at some cases in countries where surrogacy is legal where grandmothers are giving birth to their own grandchildren (Russia) or where a baby who is born two years after the death of the “order “ mother (Israel) .

The civil organizations point that this kind of business relationships open a door for serious abuses and exploitations of a certain socially disadvantaged group. When the birth of a child turns into a job, this will increase the pressure from the other family members on women to provide income by giving their wombs “for rent”.

By the legalization of surrogacy, “payment of reasonable expenses” is offered to the surrogate mother which does not put clear limits and enables abuse and corruption. This lowers the understanding of reproduction to contractual business relationships, according to the organizations’ statement.

The child and the surrogate mother are treated as a biological goods for which is paid. This tramples on the rights of the child as a human being, guaranteed by the Declaration on the rights of the child (art.6 and art.9). Commercial surrogacy is prohibited also by the Brussels Declaration of the World Medical Association.

The civil organizations point in their letter that the surrogate motherhood is punishable by the law in many countries such as Austria, Norway, Sweden, France, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Canada and others. They are convinced that the surrogate motherhood harms women’s dignity and damages their physical and mental health. They insist on voting against the proposed amendments which will legitimize the surrogacy.

Last week, parliament access of the representative from the Association Society and Values and another civil organization (both against the surrogacy) to the Round table discussion on the surrogacy was denied . Despite their pre-registration, they were returned due to “lack of room” while later representatives supporting the proposed legislation were welcomed.

Is important that society and the government are clearly informed about the risks and consequences of this type “business” for the children, the surrogate mothers and their families and also about the bitter experience in countries where “the wombs for rent” are allowed.

The proposed changes for legalizing the surrogacy are approved already by three different governing commissions and will be up for a vote in the parliament soon.

Last week twenty representatives of civil organizations, including psychologists, therapists, scientists and others sent an Open letter to the government against legalizing the surrogacy in Bulgaria. ( http://www.peticiq.com/deca_semeistvo )

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