UK: objection de conscience : une pharmacienne musulmane refuse de vendre la pilule du lendemain.

A pharmacist in East London refused to sell the morning-after pill because it is against her religious beliefs, the Sunday Mirror reports. Sabina Easmin, who is a Muslim, reportedly told her customer, Katie Richardson: "I'm sorry I can't sell it to you because it's against my beliefs." Miss Richardson commented  "I was amazed she refused to give me it. If she has religious objections, why do the job?" [Sunday Mirror.co.uk, 27 February]

 Leaders of three American Catholic organisations - the Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catholic Medical Association and the Catholic Health Association - have signed a letter urging Senators to vote against rescinding an amendment which protects health care providers who refuse to be involved with abortion. The Hyde/Weldon Amendment, approved last December, is under attack from Senator Barbara Boxer, who is proposing its abolition. The letter to the US Senate states: "Current law already allows individual and institutional health care providers to freely choose to provide abortions, and the Hyde/Weldon Conscience Protection Amendment does not alter this reality. All the amendment does is help 'level the playing field' for those who decline to provide abortions.If you hold a pro-life position, this will be an easy vote. If you see yourself as 'pro-choice,' this is an opportunity to affirm that your commitment to 'choice' includes respect for everyone's choices on abortion. We hope for an overwhelming Senate vote against rescinding the Hyde/Weldon Conscience Protection Amendment." [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 23 February] www.spuc.org 20050228