New Zealand Takes On a Long-Avoided Issue: Decriminalizing Abortion

New Zealand Takes On a Long-Avoided Issue: Decriminalizing Abortion

By Charlotte Graham-McLay
Aug. 5, 2019

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s government said on Monday that it would try to pass a law decriminalizing abortion, taking on an issue that the nation’s lawmakers have long avoided even as the country built a socially liberal reputation on the world stage.

Under current law, women seeking an abortion must claim that the pregnancy would harm their physical or mental health, and have the procedure approved by two doctors.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/world/asia/new-zealand-abortion.html

Denying the right to an abortion is a form of tyranny

Denying the right to an abortion is a form of tyranny

Terry Bellamak
May 30 2019

OPINION: Alfred Ngaro speaks of poking bears. But bears come in all shapes, sizes, and political persuasions. And Ngaro has also poked a bear.

Last week, the National list MP claimed New Zealanders who have received abortion care couldn't possibly feel criminalised by accessing medical care that is criminalised. This ridiculous claim has inspired many women to speak out in a string of excellent articles: Paula Penfold, Liz Beddoe, Emma Espiner, Sophie Bateman, and Michelle Hickman. Many voices have risen up in defence of the basic human right to access medical care without judgment.

Continued: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/113091631/denying-the-right-to-an-abortion-is-a-form-of-tyranny

30.05.2019

ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa

false moral equivalency

pro-choice philosophy

New Zealand – Abort the stigma: Why talking about your abortion helps make it safer for everyone

Abort the stigma: Why talking about your abortion helps make it safer for everyone

Terry Bellamak | Guest writer
Mar 6, 2019

Today is Ash Wednesday, when the annual 40 Days for Life anti-abortion campaign kicks off. This year, explains ALRANZ president Terry Bellamak, the pro-choice counter-protest has a new focus: breaking the silence.

A large majority of New Zealanders trust women and pregnant people to decide for themselves whether to receive abortion care. Only the people involved understand what is best for themselves and their families. Everyone deserves the freedom to decide whether and when to become a parent.

Continued: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/06-03-2019/abort-the-stigma-why-talking-about-your-abortion-helps-make-it-safer-for-everyone/

06.03.2019

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Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand

women's abortion stories

New Zealand – Doctors to fight new abortion law

Doctors to fight new abortion law
Group opposes any moves that erode rights in dealing with patients seeking terminations, writes Claire Trevett.

3 Dec, 2018
By: Claire Trevett, Deputy political editor, NZ Herald

A group of doctors opposed to abortion say they will fight any moves in looming reforms to erode their rights to refuse to deal with patients wanting abortions. The issue of referring patients seeking abortions to another doctor has drawn opposition from the group.

Justice Minister Andrew Little says he agrees with a Law Commission proposal for doctors who are "conscientious objectors" to abortion to be made to directly refer a patient on to another doctor who they know will provide the service.

Continued: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12167498

Abortion in New Zealand and How We Got Here

Abortion in New Zealand and How We Got Here
Untangling the criminal history of abortions in New Zealand shows our laws have long been out of step with society.

by Laetitia Laubscher
Nov 27 2018

Abortion is legal in New Zealand but to get one most women have to lie.

In the year to June 2017, New Zealanders had 13,285 abortions, about one-fifth of all known pregnancies that year. The overwhelming majority were obtained through the circuitous, ambiguously legal method that exists in New Zealand—a system criticised by the United Nations for being an arbitrary, discriminatory mess.

Continued: https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/wj3jmx/abortion-in-new-zealand-and-how-we-got-here

27.11.2018

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Dame Margaret Sparrow

International Human Rights Council

Jacinda Ardern

Judith Collins

Lord Ellenborough’s Act

New Zealand Crimes Act

New Zealand Law Commission

New Zealand – Using illegally imported abortion kits ‘potentially life threatening’

Using illegally imported abortion kits 'potentially life threatening'
A doctor who performs abortions in Christchurch says she's "disturbed" people are illegally importing abortion medicine.

5 November 2018

Last year, 39 "kits" containing abortion medicines mifepristone and/or misoprostol were seized at the border, according to regulator Medsafe. The pills induce miscarriage and are used for early medical abortions for women up to 10 weeks pregnant.

Certifying consultant and abortion provider Dr Pippa Mackay said she was concerned to hear about people importing abortion providing pills they had bought online, when abortions were safe and accessible in New Zealand.

Continued: https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/370278/using-illegally-imported-abortion-kits-potentially-life-threatening

New Zealand – Some pregnancies are in the woman’s best interests. Others are not

Some pregnancies are in the woman's best interests. Others are not

Terry Bellamak
Nov 05 2018

OPINION: Karl du Fresne writes about his confusion that some pregnancies are celebrated and welcomed while others end in abortion.

I can understand why he might find it confusing. Du Fresne focuses his attention and his care solely on the foetus. You have to widen your focus to include the pregnant person's point of view in order to make sense of the matter.

Continued: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/108343008/some-pregnancies-are-in-the-womans-best-interests-others-are-not

05.11.2018

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ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa

Karl du Fresne

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New Zealand – Abortion law reform options an improvement – advocate

Abortion law reform options an improvement - advocate

27 October 2018

The Law Commission has recommended decriminalising abortion and making it simpler for a woman to get a procedure.

The minister, Andrew Little, asked the Law Commission in February for options on changing the 40-year-old law, and it reported back yesterday. Mr Little will now consult with his government partners and take a paper to Cabinet.

Continued: https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/369587/abortion-law-reform-options-an-improvement-advocate

New Zealand pro-choice campaigners hail move towards abortion law reform

New Zealand pro-choice campaigners hail move towards abortion law reform
Newly released review sets out way to make abortion a health rather than criminal matter

Eleanor Ainge Roy
Fri 26 Oct 2018

Pro-choice advocates in New Zealand have welcomed a law review exploring ways to decriminalise abortion and treat it as a health issue instead.

Advocates called the report “amazing” and said its recommendations were long overdue.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/26/new-zealand-pro-choice-campaigners-hail-move-towards-abortion-law-reform

New Zealand – ALRANZ Analysis: The Law Commission Reports Back

ALRANZ Analysis: The Law Commission Reports Back

Thursday, October 25, 2018

During the last election campaign Jacinda Ardern declared her intention to reform New Zealand’s abortion laws by decriminalising the procedure, and changing the law to treat abortion as a health matter.

Last February, her Minister of Justice, Andrew Little, directed the Law Commission to report back to him in eight months with options for abortion law reform.
The Law Commission has finally reported back to the Minister. Their report contains three options for the reform of New Zealand’s abortion laws.

Continued: https://www.facebook.com/notes/alranz/alranz-analysis-the-law-commission-reports-back/10157838795719027/