Priests for Life is a recognized Civil Society Organization (CSO) at the Organization of American States (OAS) based in Washington, DC. We participate in OAS meetings and collaborate with the Holy See Mission and numerous pro-life CSOs to foster international policies protecting the dignity of human life at all stages.
June 2024
We took part virtually in the Organization of America States 54th General Assembly (June 26) held in Paraguay where it resolved, among other things "Increasing and Strengthening the Participation of Civil Society and Social Actors in the Activities of the Organization of American States and in the Summits of the Americas Process”. At the same time, the Paraguayan Episcopal Conference (CEP) recalled to the OAS that “the Church firmly believes in the value of life, from conception to natural death, and in the family, established on the basis of marriage between a man and a woman; we therefore urge respect for these convictions of our people, which are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.”
April 2024
Priests for Life took part in the Organization of American States (OAS) April 16 Washington, DC launch of a new Civil Society proposal intended to open up and strengthen civil society participation, from members like Priests for Life, in OAS activities. See photos.
December 2023
On December 5th PFL, a recognized member of Civil Society since 2020, took part in the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) special meeting to commemorate “Human Rights Day,” under the theme: “Upholding Human Rights for Future Generations: 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man” in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS headquarters in Washington, DC.
The event commemorated the development of both Declarations was influenced by the aftermath of World War II and a global recognition of the need to establish a framework for safeguarding fundamental human rights
and preventing future atrocities. Both texts have since served as cornerstones of human rights frameworks globally and in the Americas. Also, the event seeks to assess the ongoing relevance of the Declarations, as well as
explore ways to continue ensuring their implementation across the Americas and their enduring relevance for new generations.
Once again, we reminded stakeholders that, notwithstanding contrary claims, there was and still is no international right to abortion!
See photos
June 2023
Priests for Life's International Outreach took part virtually in the Organization of American States 53rd General Assembly held June 21-23 in Washington, D.C. PFL is a member of OAS Civil Society and was invited to attend the high-level assembly. While progressive countries like the USA, Canada, and Chile among others, attempted to get passed resolutions favoring abortion for migrant children and a litany of other woke rights, their efforts were ultimately thwarted by strong conservative countries such as Guatemala and other like-minded Civil Society members.
March 2021
Priests for Life joined 27 other international Human Rights organizations in an important friend-of-the-court brief against infanticide in a case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). The brief informs the court that El Salvador is allowed, under international human rights law, to enforce its criminal statutes on crimes against newly born children. It provides the court with an understanding of why El Salvador’s ban on infanticide not only does not violate, but is required by international human rights law, particularly the American Convention on Human Rights. El Salvador is one of the 8 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that recognize in their Constitution the “human person from the moment of conception”. Therefore, it penalizes direct, voluntary or provoked abortion under any circumstance.
March 2020
Priests for Life Accredited by the Organization of American States
Priests for Life is excited to share the news that our application to be accredited by the Organization of American States (OAS) has been accepted by the Permanent Council of the OAS enabling us to extend our pro-life advocacy to this regional organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The OAS is comprised of 35 countries of the Americas, from Canada to Chile, with 69 states having permanent observer status including the Holy See.
One of the leading instruments of the Inter-American system for the protection of human rights is the most pro-life treaty in the world, the American Convention on Human Rights, which declares: “Every person has the right to have his life respected. This right shall be protected by law and, in general, from the moment of conception. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, said, “Priests for Life is very much looking forward to advancing this treaty as it participates in meetings of the various entities of the OAS, especially when the right to life of unborn children is challenged by pro-abortionists active at the OAS. And I want to thank our international team, especially Marie Smith and Bob Lalonde, for the very effective work they do for Priests for Life in the international arena.”
Priests for Life has been
accredited at the United Nations since 2003 and anticipates an active presence at the Organization of American States.
Read the OAS letter of approval for Priests for Life.