[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dear Friend of the Family,
The newspaper headline — “Don’t Let Our Nation Be Destroyed!” – confirmed my hope that our pro-family coalition team’s efforts in Kosovo last week were bearing fruits! Our message was getting through!
At United Families International, we are committed to protecting families all over the world. When we learned that the Constitution for the emerging nation of Kosovo was written by foreign non-governmental organizations with liberal, anti-family language we quickly answered the call to alert citizens and policy makers in Kosovo of the peril their nation would face under the proposed Constitution.
Most Kosovars were not aware of the dangerous language hidden within. While citizens had been invited to gather to express their views about what should be included in their constitution, they never saw it or had exposure to what it actually said. The people had been led to believe their many cultural interests would be preserved by this constitution. After all, it had been “written by experts,” they were assured.
We met with national President Fatmir Sedjiu, Speaker of the House Jakup Krasniqi, members of Parliament and other influential leaders to convey the message that this Constitution contains many provisions that could undermine the traditional family, the dignity of human life and basic freedoms of speech, assembly and religious liberty. If implemented as is, it will give Kosovo one of the most liberal constitutions in all of Europe and perhaps in the world.
Wording in the Constitution can potentially be used to promote a “right” to abortion on demand. And, the proposed Constitution states that no one shall be discriminated against on the basis of “sexual orientation.” It gives no special protection to the traditional family. The document does provide “a right to marriage and family” but without defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.”
Medical professionals would not be allowed to refuse to perform abortions. Clergy would not be allowed to refuse to perform same sex “marriages.” Removing freedom of conscience from the Constitution could force Kosovars to participate in acts that compromise their individual beliefs.
Perhaps of greatest concern is the constitutional article that sets “limitations to human rights and fundamental freedoms,” thus subjecting freedom of speech and assembly provisions to the interpretation of the European Court of Human Rights. The sovereignty of this newly-established nation is undermined in the process.
When the Constitution was presented before Parliament, it was approved by applause rather than by vote! The backers of the document then reported that the Constitution was approved unanimously! One citizen told us how upset he was with his own assembly representative who told him he had not even read the Constitution before he approved it “because it had been written by experts.”
The Speaker of the House assured us that though the Constitution had been written by “American and European experts,” he promised us that the government will consider the concerns presented by our visiting group.
Our voice was greatly needed in Kosovo and we were successful in exposing and recommending a different view than was commonly held by the people of Kosovo. We hope the speaker of the House and many other influential Kosovars will indeed take our views into consideration and revise the constitutional document.
United Families International will continue to work with allies around the world in pursuit of pro-life/pro-family interests. Help us to continue this great work by contributing today. Your support will enable us to fight for the values that are vitally important to the family and communities around the world.
Warmly,
Carol Soelberg,
President United Families International[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css_animation=””][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”34px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]