He noted that too many women die during pregnancy and childbirth because their right to sexual and reproductive health is denied; too many women become infected with HIV because they do not have the power to protect their own health; and too many women are subjected to violence – “one of the most systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world.”

Catholic delegates at this week’s international conference of the organisation are likely to raise the issue, but the majority of the 400 delegates from around the world are believed to be firmly in favour of retaining the new policy.

Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by British lawyer and Roman Catholic convert Peter Benenson to campaign