Christians have no monopoly in the defense of human life. Respect for all human life is a fundamental precept of universal morality proclaimed by all great civilizations, and it is the basis of every democratic society. If this right to life is not respected and protected, all other rights are threatened. The exercise of freedom requires respect for the right to life. In Belgium, for example, the law of 1867 suppressing abortion was enacted under a homogeneous liberal government; at that time Christian political parties were in the opposition.