A Vested Right

When the meaning of words is inverted into its opposite, things become dangerous. A commentary by Paneuropa Secretary General Rainhard Kloucek on the somewhat peculiar legal conception of this Federal Government.

Communication and staging (itself a part of communication) are core elements of politics today. It is therefore clear that many catchphrases are produced, that message control is becoming increasingly important, but also that slogans and content are often miles apart. One could also speak of propaganda, whereby propaganda is already suspected of not being in accordance with reality; indeed, it is repeatedly nothing but a pure propaganda lie.

This is exactly where the Austrian Federal Government has landed with its statement on the “Fairändern” citizens’ initiative. This initiative is about accompanying measures for abortion, such as research into motives (to better help women and protect the child) or improving counselling.

In its statement on the matter, the Austrian Federal Government (under the responsibility of a minister belonging to the ÖVP) now asserts that abortion is a “vested right” in Austria. This statement has nothing to do with reality.

Indeed, it is much worse. It twists reality into its opposite. Something prohibited cannot be a vested right. To present something prohibited as a vested right is a violation of language, a distortion of the meaning of words.

Regardless of one’s personal stance on abortion: it is prohibited in Austria (and not only here) for good reasons based on the rule of law. The fact that it is exempt from punishment in the first three months, and in exceptional cases even much longer, does not change the fact that it is prohibited.

If a certain stretch of road is not monitored for years, and everyone drives at 130 km/h instead of the permitted 100, no one can claim that 130 is a vested right on that route.

Whatever the reason the Federal Government presents abortion – contrary to the facts – as a vested right. It may be incompetent lawyers, an absolute intoxication with power, or plain and simple fear. When the meaning of words is inverted for the sake of message control, it becomes dangerous.

© Featured image: European Commission 1997