March for Women’s Right to Abortion in Europe

Catherine Lützeler (Centre d’Action Laique, Belgium) writes: Although abortion has been decriminalized or legalized in almost all European countries, the voluntary termination of  pregnancy is still forbidden in four countries except when there is a risk to the life of the pregnant woman, or in case of rape or other sexual crime or in case of serious physical or psychological abnormalities of the foetus. Those countries are Cyprus, Malta, Ireland and Poland.

On April 1st, as Belgium was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the decriminalization of abortion, three non-governmental organizations active in sexual healthcare organized a march in favour of the legalization of abortion in Europe. The march stopped by the embassies of Poland, Malta, Cyprus and Ireland to protest against their restrictive laws on voluntary termination of pregnancy.

The ambassador of Poland welcomed a delegation from the march, agreed to transmit its letter to the Polish government but underlined that the Polish legislation had been voted by a democratic parliament. 

The Irish embassador also welcomed a delegation from the march: he will transmit the letter to the Irish government but underlined that  the Irish society is still very divided on the issue.

After protesting, the participants and other guests gathered for a colloquium on abortion.

This content last updated 11 February 2013 @ 3:04 pm