The German parliament is split over a Nazi-era abortion law that punishes doctors

The German parliament is split over a Nazi-era abortion law that punishes doctors

by Jill Petzinger
March 15, 2018

One of the first orders of business for the freshly-formed government in Berlin next week was meant to be a vote on striking a law introduced by the Nazis in the 1930s, making it illegal for doctors to publicly say that they offer abortion services or abortion advice.

In a country as progressive as Germany, it may surprise some people to know that under section 219a of the criminal code, a medical professional is forbidden to publicly “offer, announce, or advertise” abortion services. Breaking the law is punishable with a fine or up to two years in prison.

Continued: https://qz.com/1228962/the-german-parliament-is-split-over-a-nazi-era-abortion-law-that-punishes-doctors/


The Renaissance of Germany’s Abortion Rights Movement

The Renaissance of Germany’s Abortion Rights Movement

By Kathleen Brown
March 15, 2018

As Germany’s natalist far right rises, a growing progressive movement is challenging the country’s Nazi-era abortion laws.

In November 2017, German doctor Kristina Hänel was found guilty of breaking Paragraph 219a of the German Criminal Code and fined €6,000 by the Gießen District Court. Her crime? Listing abortion as a medical service on her practice’s website.

Dr. Hänel was charged under Nazi-era Paragraph 219a, which criminalizes advertising abortion services. The offense is punishable with up to two years in prison for anyone who publicly “offers, announces or recommends services for pregnancy termination.” In court, Hänel’s defense lawyer argued that her website remains informational and does not meet the definition of advertising. Nonetheless, the Gießen judge found Dr. Hänel guilty, justifying the ruling, “Lawmakers do not want to discuss abortion in public as if it were a normal thing.” Except, as Dr. Hänel and many women know, abortion is a normal thing. Over 100,000 individuals in Germany choose to terminate unwanted pregnancies each year.

Continued: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2018/03/germanys-abortion-rights-movement-afd-fascism


German doctor lodges petition to change abortion law

German doctor lodges petition to change abortion law

A doctor fined for "advertising" abortions has presented a petition with 150,000 signatures to Parliament, demanding Germany's law be changed. Kristina Hänel says women have the right to information about the procedure.
Kristina Hänel and her supporters hold a sign with the number of signatures they have collected

Doctor Kristina Hänel handed over the petition with more than 150,000 signatures to members of Germany's Bundestag on Tuesday, urging them to scrap paragraph 219a of the criminal code.

Continued at source: http://www.dw.com/en/german-doctor-lodges-petition-to-change-abortion-law/a-41764640


German doctor fined for illegally ‘advertising’ abortions

German doctor fined for illegally 'advertising' abortions
Nov 24, 2017

Pro-life activists have taken a doctor to court over information she provides for her patients online. The case shows how complicated Germany's laws regulating abortion are – and that the issue is highly contentious.

Kristina Hänel, a general practitioner in the central German city of Giessen, received a €6,000 fine in court on Friday because of a single word on her practice's website. On the list of services she offers, Hänel includes family planning, sex counseling — and abortions.

Pro-life activists from the radical "Never again" initiative have sued her for this. They say Hänel is breaking the law, based on a rule stipulated in paragraph 219a of the German criminal code. It states that anyone who publicly "offers, announces [or] advertises" abortion services is to be punished with up to two years in jail or must pay a fine.

Continued at source: http://www.dw.com/en/german-doctor-fined-for-illegally-advertising-abortions/a-40598436


Germany: Doctor who ‘advertised’ abortion on her website fined €6,000

Doctor who ‘advertised’ abortion on her website fined €6,000

DPA/The Local
24 November 2017

A doctor who published information for women about abortions on her website has been fined €6,000 for breaking German criminal law.

61-year-old Doctor Kristina Hänel was found guilty by a district court in Gießen on Friday of “advertising” abortion on her website.

“The lawmakers do not want abortion to be talked about in public as if it is a normal thing,” the judge said in her ruling.

Continued at source: https://www.thelocal.de/20171124/doctor-who-advertised-abortion-on-her-website-fined-6000


Germany: Doctor faces up to two years’ jail for ‘advertising’ abortion on her website

Doctor faces up to two years' jail for 'advertising' abortion on her website
DPA/The Local
23 November 2017

This week a doctor will face court in Gießen on Friday for "advertising abortion," which is illegal under German law, after putting information about the procedure up on her website.

61-year-old Doctor Kristina Hänel could be in a whole lot of trouble because she offered information on her internet site about the abortions she performs.

Continued at source: https://www.thelocal.de/20171123/trial-begins-for-doctor-accused-of-advertising-abortion