Planned Parenthood Federation Issues Statement on Commission on Unalienable Rights

WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The Planned Parenthood Federation of America issued the following statement by President Leana Wen:

Today, the U.S. Department of State rolled out the Commission on Unalienable Rights, with the stated objective of "promotion of individual liberty, human equality, and democracy through foreign policy." As outlined by Secretary Pompeo, the intent of the commission is to redefine human rights according to what he calls "America's founding principles." The commission is stacked with advisors who have long records arguing against reproductive rights -- including access to safe, legal abortion -- and against rights for LGBTQ communities, including Chair Mary Ann Glendon, a prominent anti-abortion activist.

"The Trump-Pence administration's new sham commission should be seen for what it really is: an attempt to narrowly redefine human rights in order to violate them.

"At a time when this administration is attacking reproductive rights, rolling back LGBTQ rights, and detaining children and families under horrific conditions, this commission is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to unconscionably exclude specific groups from legal protections.

"The U.S. should be leading the charge to protect and defend human rights, not undermining them for political gain."