Amnesty donor gives £30k to offset abortion policy backlash

Fundraising | Tania Mason | 1 Dec 2007

Amnesty International UK has received a £30,000 donation from a member concerned about reports that the organisation’s new policy condoning abortion in some circumstances, had alienated some supporters.

The donor sent in the cheque with a letter in which he stated that he hoped the donation would help to make up for any losses caused as a result of the new policy.

A spokesman for the human rights body confirmed the donation had been received and made in reference to the abortion policy.

Amnesty changed its stance on abortion in August following a majority vote by its executive committee, which comprises members from 52 countries. After years of not having a policy on abortion, the organisation will now campaign for countries to allow abortion for women in cases of rape, incest, sexual assault or when the pregnancy puts the mother’s life or health at grave risk.

The change in stance sparked the high-profile resignations of two bishops and led the Vatican to call on Catholics to stop donating to the group.

There were also reports that many local branches in the UK were losing members as a result of the policy. But Mike Blakemore, a spokesman for Amnesty UK, said these reports had been exaggerated.

“In Northern Ireland less than 15 out of 4,500 members withdrew their support by cancelling their membership but 20 times that number have joined Amnesty since the new policy was implemented,” he said.

Overall, across the UK, the numbers of people leaving and those joining are roughly equal, he said.

Directory: Amnesty International
Who's Who: Tania Mason

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