Hong Kong parents who have lost an unborn child must not suffer a miscarriage of justice as well
As a Thai who regularly visits Hong Kong, and appreciates its economic miracle, I find the case disturbing. I would like to make three points.
The first concerns the cut-off time for what constitutes a fetus. What detailed criteria do the authorities use? In some cultures and religions, the status of a human or living being is conferred at the moment of conception.
My second point is that, regardless of how many weeks old the aborted or miscarried fetus may be, it belongs to the parents. It is the parents’ creation (in a consensual relationship). Emotional bonding and attachments exist. Parents therefore have the moral right – and should have the legal right – to retrieve the fetus for burial or cremation as they see fit.
Last and most important is the sanctity of life. Fetuses – irrespective of whether they can feel pain or have consciousness – aren’t leftover food waste or disposable items to be readily sent to the landfills. What message is the government sending to Hongkongers? That anything that does not constitute a “human” in its fullest form can be treated like garbage, destined for landfills? Taking this line of reasoning to its logical end would be no different from patients in vegetative states being put in landfills. For they too lack consciousness or self-awareness and may not feel pain.
This is fundamentally about respect for a mother and her miscarried fetus. It is about respect for life and for human beings, no matter what their economic value. It is about what values we want to instil in society. Give the parents the final say on how to say farewell to their unborn child.
Ms Lai suffered a miscarriage. Don’t let her and others like her suffer a miscarriage of justice.
Edward Kitlertsirivatana, Bangkok
