SW News: In the Latin American country of Colombia where regional elections will be held on October 29, the United for Life platform is exhorting candidates to sign what it calls the Commitment for Life encouraging policies that promote the welfare of the family, women and the unborn child.

On the day of the polls, as many as 39 million voters will select the governors of the 32 departments apart from the 418 deputies of the departmental assemblies and the 1102 mayors. United for Life has said that the Commitment for Life is a campaign of citizens, for citizens and it does not engage with any political group or movement. It is espousing the cause of two commitments. While one targets candidates running for the posts of councillor and deputies, the other is for those contesting for the positions of mayor and governor.

Those who put their signature to the document will pledge to support projects “that protect human beings from the moment of fertilization until their natural death" and “that exalt the dignity of women and the recognition of all their rights, especially the right to life and motherhood.” To achieve these objectives, they will also create support plans “for pregnant women, so that no induced abortion is performed, due to a lack of truthful information, reception and offering opportunities to bring their pregnancy to a happy term.”

Candidates for the post of deputies also have to pledge support for the defense of the dignity of those who are terminally ill and reject euthanasia. It also seeks the protection of the family and corruption as a sign of solidarity towards the culture of life.

Those contesting for positions of mayor and governor have to sign a pledge to “promote a culture that celebrates and respects all human life” through its government programs.” They include initiatives on human fertility and its “responsible management according to natural methods", as well as "comprehensive education on human sexuality, which includes respect, self-esteem and the dimension of human love between men and women, and openness to life”.