The Christian understanding of God is Trinitarian, and therefore relational, which means that this is reflected in human existence. Politically, this means that human dignity is not merely about the value and rights of the individual, but about individuals in relationship with each other. Human dignity includes creating right and just relationships between people and governments, businesses, and environment. We believe that human dignity is foremost a responsibility: to love God and love your neighbours, and to protect people – especially the weak and the fragile.

The intrinsic value of the human being includes every stage of the human existence. Excluding the beginning or the end of human life from the definition fundamentally undermines the intrinsic value of the human being and is therefore a violation of human dignity. Thus, there is a particular need to protect vulnerable, disabled, or unborn members of the human family. ECPM advocates that both European institutions and Member States should always uphold the principle of human dignity from conception until natural death.

Bio-Ethics

Although this is, in general, a competence of the Member States, the development of new technology and greater integration have created breaches for the European Union institutions to interfere in bio-medical issues, leading to ECPM taking a position on these matters.

The first and only legally binding international text designed to protect human dignity against the misuse of biomedicine is the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention), 1997(1). It states that the interests of human beings must come before the interests of science or society. The convention prohibits the creation of human embryos for research purposes and requires adequate protection of embryos where countries allow in-vitro research. It bans human cloning, trafficking of organs and tissues and, in general, the commercialization of the human body and its parts. It allows the cloning of cells and tissue considered to be ethically acceptable worldwide, but it argues that cloning embryonic stem cells should be approached with great reservations and left up to the individual states acceding to the Convention. In one of its protocols, it defines and safeguards fundamental rights in biomedical research, with a heavy emphasis on consent, safety and duty of care, confidentiality and the review of the research proposal by an ethics committee. These regulations are based on the principle of the individual as an end-in-itself and protecting the genetic make-up of the human species. ECPM agrees, fully or in part, with the Oviedo Convention and, according to the subsidiarity principle, supports its implementation at national level as the EU Member States see fit.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccine mandate and the injuries sustained by some of those who got vaccinated, Art. 24 of the Convention is especially relevant: “The person who has suffered undue damage resulting from an intervention is entitled to fair compensation according to the conditions and procedures prescribed by law.” ECPM is demanding compensation for any vaccine-related injuries and to hold the responsible parties liable. The Convention, as well as the attached protocols, reiterate several times that refusal to give consent to medical research or a medical procedure “shall not lead to any form of discrimination against the person concerned, in particular regarding the right to medical care.” ECPM condemns the discrimination faced by people who, for various reasons, refused vaccination.

Reproduction & Contraception

ECPM strongly supports the Member States’ right to establish their own policies regarding reproduction and we encourage them, as well as the EU institutions, to promote and protect life from conception to natural death.

In line with Art.13(1) of the Regulation EC 726/ 20042 establishing the European Medicines Agency and Art. 4(4) of the Directive 2001/83/EC3 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use, Member States are free to prohibit or restrict the sale, supply or use of contraceptives or abortifacients.

At the same time, we support our members’ initiatives at national level to support women and families in crisis, to demand increased state aid to pregnant women and to educate the general population, especially youth, about the preciousness of life and other choices at their disposal (like adoption, for example).

Surrogacy

ECPM members stand firmly against any form of surrogacy. It goes against human dignity and reduces people to commodities. The surrogacy process most often involves a contract, in which the commissioning woman, man, or couple have ownership over another woman’s womb (the surrogate mother) for the duration of the pregnancy. They can dictate and decide what happens to the baby if it is revealed that it has defects or diseases; they can force the surrogate mother to undergo an abortion, even if she disagrees, because they are the “owners” of the pregnancy. This right of ownership over someone else’s body could be regarded as violating Article 1 of the Geneva Convention: “Slavery is the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.”(4) The right to property includes the right to use, enjoy and dispose of it; all three of these principles are found in surrogacy agreements, which makes the commissioning party the owner(s) of the surrogate mother’s womb and pregnancy.

It also violates the human dignity of the child, since it is now considered the object or product of a contract, of a transaction. The right of a child to know his biological parents and be raised by them (Art. 7 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child(5)) could be endangered as well, depending on the surrogacy agreement. In cases of surrogacy, up to six adults can claim parental rights over the child. This can lead to many legal complications, especially when there is an international/ cross-border dimension to the case.

We stand against the European Commission’s Proposal for a Council Regulation (2022) on the creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood(6) which undermines the Member States’ sovereignty, the principle of subsidiarity, and would legalize surrogacy in all States, violating the human dignity of women and children by reducing them to commercial products.

Disability

ECPM is firmly committed to protecting and promoting the rights and needs of individuals living with disabilities. Regardless of physical or cognitive limitations, the life of every person is of immeasurable value. We are dedicated to dismantling barriers and discrimination to ensure people with disabilities can lead fulfilling and dignified lives. This includes advocating for inclusive educational systems, employment opportunities and easy access to public facilities. We support the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(7) and call on the EU and Member States to do so by providing the financial and legal support necessary.

Aging & Euthanasia

Thanks to better healthcare, people in Europe live longer, but they are also at a higher risk for poverty, loneliness and depression as they age. ECPM stands for aging with dignity. The elderly should be treated with respect and gratitude for all the work they did in their lives; they should also receive the pension they are owed adjusted for the cost of living. In the case of homemakers, we propose they receive retirement benefits in line with minimum wage rates. We support efforts and initiatives which seek to alleviate loneliness and depression in the elderly, and which promote mental health, an autonomous lifestyle and community. ECPM advocates for inter-generational solidarity, where people can take care of each other. We think that informal and customized care should be prioritized. Those taking care of their neighbours or family members should get financial support for their work. Occupational therapy or special coaching by mobility experts helps the elderly to maintain an autonomous living.

ECPM strongly advocates for palliative care as the only option for end-of-life stage. Ending life when it is ‘not worthy to live’ is not acceptable to us, since that runs contrary to the intrinsic value of the person. Having a robust social network, customized care, life-coaches for mental health and quality palliative care means life can be dignified until the end.