S i g n i s I n d i a

Pat Buckley from the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (SPUC) discusses the transition from the final UN Commission on Human Rights to the newly-formed Human Rights Council. Katie Sofio reports from Geneva, Switzerland, March 22, 2006. (3:13, 1.47 mb)  

NGOVoice spoke with Christine Mulindwa-Matuvo about Uganda's position on the contentious language that speaks of "Sexual and Reproductive Services". Ms Mulindwa-Matuvo's comments show the wide gap in understanding of the motive and meaning of such language in international law. (3:13, 2.95 mb)

The debate over including language that acknowledges nutrition and hydration as a basic need and not medical care is central to the issue of quality of life in promoting euthenasia around the world. Listen to Andrea Vrchota, a Franciscan University student who made an inrevention at the Disabilities Conference on behalf of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists,, as she tells the story of her lifelong struggle with Cerebral Palsey and the stigma that accompanies it. (4:33, 4.17 mb)

Andrea Vrchota, a Franciscan University of Steubenville student, made an impassioned plea during her intervention to stop the practice of witholding nutrition and hydration as a way of ending the lives of disabled persons on "Quality of Life" grounds.(1:39, 1.51 mb)

In much of the world the only life ahead for a person with intellectual disabilities is within an institution. NGOVoice spoke to a mother and her daughter, born with Down Syndrome, who are working to change that practice through their organization "Inclusion International". (3:23, 3.1 mb)

The country of Qatar has been instrumental in promoting the agenda of the Culture of Life at the Convention. Listen as NGOVoice reporter Maria Scarnecchia speaks to Abdulla Ahmad Al-Sada, the UN delegate from Qatar to the Disabilities Convention. (2:40, 2.45 MB)

The 2nd United Nations Youth Assembly was held at UN headquarters in New York the first week of August, 2005. One of the breakout sessions was sponsored by MADRE, a women's rights advocacy group. Some of the views presented are contrary to Catholic Church teaching. Emily Bissonnette reports. (5:39, 2.6 MB)

Catholic NGO Voice reports from New York on the United Nations Sixth Convention on Persons with Disabilities. This August 5, 2005, report highlights the rights of children with disabilities. Reported by Emily Bissonnette. (4-1/2 minutes, 2 MB)

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, Secretary of the Congregation of Catholic Education at the Vatican, reflects on the meaning of the scriptures during his homily at Franciscan University of Steubenville's Baccalaureate Mass on May 13, 2005. (22:28, 10.2 MB)

In Washington, DC, former Philippines Senator Francisco S. Tatad, Member of the Board of the International Right to Life Federation and Chairman of the Citizens vs. Corruption Task Force, talks with Brian Scarnecchia, President of the International Solidarity and Human Rights Institute, about human rights issues and concerns in the Philippines. (15:17, 7 MB)