Slovak conservatives hope to tighten abortion law, rights groups protest

Radoslav Stoklasa, Reuters
Sep 24, 2020

BRATISLAVA — Christian lawmakers in Slovakia hope to win parliamentary approval for a tightening of abortion rules in a vote expected on Friday, part of a trend towards more socially conservative policies across parts of central Europe.

If adopted, the new regulation would still allow abortion on demand until 12 weeks but would double waiting periods to 96 hours, ban clinics from advertising services and make women declare their reasons for termination.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/crime-pmn/slovak-conservatives-hope-to-tighten-abortion-law-rights-groups-protest

Slovakia: Draconian restrictions on abortion would endanger the lives of women and girls

16 September 2020
Amnesty International

Lawmakers in Slovakia must reject a draconian law that would impose new barriers to abortion and endanger the health and wellbeing of women and girls, said Amnesty International, ahead of the start of a parliamentary plenary session that will debate on a new abortion bill.

If passed, the law would introduce additional barriers to women and girls seeking abortion, doubling unnecessary waiting periods, imposing new medical authorization requirements for abortion on health grounds and forcing them to state their reasons for seeking care.

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/09/slovakia-draconian-restrictions-on-abortion-would-endanger-the-lives-of-women-and-girls/

16.09.2020

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Neo-Nazis & Religious Conservatives Unite in Slovakia’s Fresh Abortion Battle

Campaigners fear that stark legislative proposals are helping to normalise a repressive discourse around reproductive rights in which concessions may be inevitable

Sian Norris
31 July 2020

Defying the Coronavirus pandemic, women gathered on the streets of Bratislava, Liptovský Mikuláš, Banská Bystrica, and Košice in Slovakia, on 7 July, protesting the latest attack on their reproductive rights.

The women wore protective face masks and carried placards demanding that the Government not introduce restrictions to abortion law that threaten their freedom.

Continued: https://bylinetimes.com/2020/07/31/neo-nazis-religious-conservatives-unite-in-slovakias-fresh-abortion-battle/

Right Power: Slovakia Mulls New Laws Limiting Abortion

Miroslava German Sirotnikova
July 13, 2020

An economic crisis looms and the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing – but the most pressing issue on the minds of many Slovak lawmakers is limiting women’s reproductive rights.

This week, the Slovak parliament is debating, and likely to adopt, a new package of laws further limiting women’s access to abortion.

Continued: https://balkaninsight.com/2020/07/13/right-power-slovakia-mulls-new-laws-limiting-abortion/

Europe – Women turn to backstreet abortions during coronavirus

Women turn to backstreet abortions during coronavirus
(7 minute video)

Women across Europe are struggling to get abortions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

June 23, 2020

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-53158162/coronavirus-women-denied-abortions-because-of-the-pandemic

23.06.2020

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Slovakia’s Latest Regressive Abortion Bill Rejected: How Can Regressive Measures Against Women’s Reproductive Rights Be Countered?

Slovakia’s Latest Regressive Abortion Bill Rejected: How Can Regressive Measures Against Women’s Reproductive Rights Be Countered?

8 Dec, 2019
by Adrianne Ramirez
Organization for World Peace

On 5th December, the proposed regressive abortion law in Slovakia was rejected following a Parliamentary vote. The draft legislation required women seeking abortion care to undergo a mandatory ultrasound scanning, to view and obtain the embryo or foetus’ ultrasound image, and where technically possible, to listen to its heartbeat. Furthermore, it sought to prohibit abortion advertising as well as imposing a fine of up to 66,400 EU on those who order or disseminate it. Proposed by a centre-right party in the ruling coalition, it was the latest step in a campaign to tighten restrictions on abortion in Slovakia, in wake of the September protests that demanded a total ban. Though rejected, the mere possibility of this legislation being approved depicts tangible hazards on women’s reproductive rights. Beyond its local implications, it consequently contributes to the recent erosion of these rights worldwide.

Continued: https://theowp.org/slovakias-latest-regressive-abortion-bill-rejected-how-can-regressive-measures-against-womens-reproductive-rights-be-countered/

Slovakia’s Parliament rejects harmful restrictions on safe abortion care

Slovakia’s Parliament rejects harmful restrictions on safe abortion care

Center for Reproductive Rights
Dec 5, 2019

Today the Slovak Parliament rejected draft legislation that would have severely restricted women’s access to abortion care and subjected women to a series of humiliating and medically inaccurate and unnecessary requirements prior to accessing abortion.

“Today’s result was critical for the protection of women’s health and wellbeing in Slovakia. The sole purpose of the proposed legislation was to harass and humiliate women seeking access to safe and legal abortion care in Slovakia. We applaud the Slovak Parliament’s rejection of these regressive legislative proposals. We call on them to refrain from imposing further restrictions on women’s access to safe abortion care,” said Leah Hoctor, Regional Director for Europe at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “We urge Slovakia to take steps to remove existing barriers to legal abortion and to ensure its laws are in line with World Health Organization standards and the recommendations of United Nations and other human rights mechanisms.”

Continued: https://reproductiverights.org/press-room/slovakias-parliament-rejects-harmful-restrictions-safe-abortion-care

Slovakia – in sixth vote – backs abortion rights

Slovakia - in sixth vote - backs abortion rights

December 5, 2019
Molly Millar

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Slovakia narrowly defeated a bill on Thursday that would have forced women seeking an abortion to see images of their unborn child - and hear its heartbeat - in the country’s sixth vote on reproductive rights this year.

The legislation in overwhelmingly Catholic Slovakia would have been the first of its kind in the European Union, raising fears among human rights organizations of setting a precedent in nations pursuing a conservative social agen

Continued: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-women-abortion/slovakia-in-sixth-vote-backs-abortion-rights-idUSKBN1Y92FY

Slovakia rejects bill requiring ultrasound before abortion

Slovakia rejects bill requiring ultrasound before abortion
Lawmakers in Slovakia have rejected a proposed bill that would have made it obligatory for women seeking abortions to first have an ultrasound and obtain the consent of the father before having the procedure

By The Associated Press
5 December 2019

Lawmakers in Slovakia have rejected a proposed bill that would have made it obligatory for women seeking abortions to first have an ultrasound and obtain the consent of the father before having the procedure.

The bill was submitted by three members of the conservative Slovak National Party. In its initial draft, the bill made it mandatory for women to listen to the fetal heartbeat where possible. After being debated earlier this week, the bill was rejected on Thursday.

Last month, more than 30 organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, wrote to Slovak parliamentarians expressing their “deep concern” about the proposed law. They warned that if the legislation was adopted, Slovakia would be the only European Union country to impose such requirements on women in countries with legalized abortion.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/slovakia-rejects-bill-requiring-ultrasound-abortion-67515309

05.12.2019

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Slovakia may force women to get pre-abortion ultrasound

Slovakia may force women to get pre-abortion ultrasound

By MARIA CHENG, AP Medical Writer
Nov. 29, 2019

LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers in Slovakia are scheduled to debate a proposed law Friday that would compel women seeking an abortion to first have an ultrasound and listen to the heartbeat of the embryo or fetus, a move many groups have decried as a backward step for women’s rights.

The bill was submitted by three members of the conservative Slovak National Party, who wrote that it is intended “to ensure that women are informed about the current stage of their pregnancy” before having an abortion.

Continued: https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/medical/article/Slovakia-may-force-women-to-get-pre-abortion-14870030.php