Luxembourg – Government to end abortion reflection period, ban virginity exams

Jan 11, 2025

The Luxembourg government has approved a bill to abolish the mandatory three-day reflection period for abortions and ban virginity certificates and hymenoplasty, marking a significant step forward for women's rights.

The Ministries of Health and Justice announced on Friday evening that the Government Council has approved a bill seeking to strengthen women's rights in Luxembourg by abolishing the mandatory reflection period ahead of an abortion. The bill, which aims at combating practices undermining human dignity, will thus abolish the deadline, currently set at three days.

Continued: https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2266193.html

11.01.2025

News

3-day waiting requirement

abortion law reform

Consultative Human Rights Commission

Elisabeth Margue

mandatory waiting period

Total criminalisation of abortion is a threat to sexual and reproductive health in Brazil

BMJ 2025; 388 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r52
Published 10 January 2025
Michelle Fernandez, Luísa M M Fernandes, Melania M R de Amorim

In Brazil, a proposed constitutional amendment is currently being discussed in the National Congress, aiming to criminalise abortion in the country entirely. It stipulates prison sentences for women who undergo the procedure, ranging from 6 to 20 years, regardless of the circumstances. The proposal equates abortion with the crime of homicide. The suggested penalties for abortion are harsher than those currently imposed on rapists, who face a maximum of 10 years in prison. The proposed amendment would threaten the reproductive rights and health of women in Brazil, and directly affect their dignity and autonomy.

Continued: https://www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj.r52

Portugal – Abortion deadline extension debate

The PS has scheduled for January 10th the debate on the bill that intends to extend the period for Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy (IVG) from the current 10 to 12 weeks.

By TPN/Lusa, in News, Portugal
Dec 24, 2024

To Lusa, an official PS source confirmed this schedule and stated that the party will allow other initiatives on the topic to be carried out.

The socialists propose in their bill to extend the period for IVG at the woman's choice from the current 10 to 12 weeks and ensure that conscientious objection does not put access to abortion at risk.

The BE proposes to extend the period, from the current 10 to 14 weeks, for a woman to undergo an IVG of her choice and eliminates the reflection period.

Continued: https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-12-24/abortion-deadline-extension-debate/94400

24.12.2024

News

abortion law reform

Alexandra Leitão

conscientious objection

Zimbabwe – The dangers of selective abortion laws and the case for reform

December 17, 2024
Obey Sibanda

BUHLE, a 20-year old university student, finds herself in a desperate situation when she discovers she is pregnant. Fearing the consequences of her parents and friends finding out, she turns to a “friend of a friend” who claims to know how to perform an abortion.

The procedure is carried out in a cramped and unsanitary backyard shed. Buhle is given a concoction of unknown substances, and the “practitioner” attempts to perform a dilation and curettage (D&C) without proper equipment or anaesthesia. As soon as the procedure is over, Buhle begins to experience severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, and dizziness. She realises something has gone horribly wrong.

Continued: https://www.chronicle.co.zw/the-dangers-of-selective-abortion-laws-and-the-case-for-legal-reform/

17.12.2024

Commentary

1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act

A bill that would legalize abortion will be debated in Germany’s parliament

Green and Social Democrat MPs have introduced a bill that would legalize abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy.

By Elsa Conesa
Dec 10, 2024

This part of German law is referred to as "Paragraph 218": "Whosoever terminates a pregnancy shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine." However, a group of MPs has begun efforts to decriminalize abortion, hoping to take advantage of a brief parliamentary window created by the collapse of the current coalition on November 6, ahead of the federal election on February 23, 2025, which will elect a new Bundestag.

Abortion is illegal in Germany, although in practice it is not prosecuted if carried out within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy after a medical consultation. As the procedure is illegal, it is not reimbursed by social security. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 106,000 abortions were reported in Germany in 2023, compared with 243,600 in France.

Continued: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/12/11/a-bill-that-would-legalize-abortion-will-be-debated-in-germany-s-parliament_6735952_4.html

10.12.2024

News

abortion decriminalization

German campaigners demand abortion be fully legalized

Femke COLBORNE
Dec 7, 2024

German campaigners are pushing for reform to remove legal hurdles for women seeking an abortion, with emotions running high on the issue as the country heads for early elections.

Under German law, abortion is illegal but tolerated in practice for women who are up to 12 weeks pregnant. However, a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy must first receive compulsory counselling, followed by a three-day waiting period and many doctors say the process can be complicated as well as traumatic.

Continued: https://www.citizentribune.com/news/national/german-campaigners-demand-abortion-be-fully-legalised/article_6d07dcde-c96d-51b3-bd5a-16aec48b1e65.html

Argentina’s Abortion Law Three Years Later

The country's abortion law has reduced fertility rates and preventable deaths among girls ages 10 to 14

By Maria Emilia Pianesi
December 4, 2024

Each year, comprehensive abortion care could save the lives of up to nearly 39,000 women and prevent related health complications for 5 million women worldwide. A multicountry survey on the implementation of comprehensive abortion policies in Latin America and the Caribbean found that safe abortions and quality post-abortion care in the region is limited by some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. As a result, the issue remains a major health and policy challenge in the region.

In this context, Argentina has taken a historic step for sexual and reproductive health and rights by legalizing abortion. Law 27.610, Access to Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy and Post-Abortion Care, has been enforced since January 2021. It allows anyone to request an abortion before 14 weeks of pregnancy and entails no time limit in cases of sexual assault or when the life of the applicant is in danger.

Continued: https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/argentinas-abortion-law-three-years-later

Norway extends abortion rights to 18 weeks

December 3, 2024

Norway's parliament on Tuesday adopted legislation extending the legal limit for abortion from 12 to 18 weeks in the Scandinavian country. Legislators voted by a broad majority in favor of a proposal by the center-left minority government that has been split on the issue.

The new law, which will replace 1978 legislation, will give women until the 18th week of pregnancy to decide whether they want an abortion. Currently, women in Norway can have an abortion after the 12th week but only with the approval of a medical committee made up two doctors, one male and one female. Refusals are extremely rare.

Continued: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-norway-abortion-rights-weeks.html

03.12.2024

News

18 week limit

abortion law reform

Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Abortion in Germany: Preelection push for liberalization

A left-wing cross-party initiative in Germany has been launched to decriminalize abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. Polls show public support, but conservative lawmakers are opposed.

Julie Gregson
Dec 2, 2024

Lawmakers from Germany's center-left parties want to make abortion legal in Germany — in the first three months of pregnancy.

Germany's paragraph 218 outlawing abortions first entered the statute books in 1871 and has long been controversial. While abortion remains illegal, women since the 1990s have been permitted to have them within the first three months of pregnancy without risk of prosecution if they undergo counseling at least three days before the procedure. Terminations in the case of rape or when the woman's mental or physical health is at risk are also exempt from punishment.

Continued: https://www.dw.com/en/abortion-in-germany-preelection-push-for-liberalization/a-70922840

Decriminalization of abortion in Mexico spurs international calls for stronger reforms

Daniela Pulido | Facultad de Derecho PUCP, PE
November 30, 2024

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday called on Mexican authorities to strengthen abortion access and eliminate remaining criminal code barriers after the Congress of the State of Mexico voted to decriminalize abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

HRW emphasized that while the State of Mexico’s reform marks substantial progress, implementation remains crucial. The organization advocated for comprehensive service delivery and the complete removal of remaining legal barriers that might discourage healthcare providers or patients.

Continued: https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/11/decriminalization-of-abortion-in-mexico-spurs-international-calls-for-stronger-reforms/

30.11.2024