MPs set to vote on decriminalizing abortion in England

Two U.K. Labour MPs are drawing up amendments on the issue that will likely be considered by the House of Commons this summer.

May 1, 2025
By Dan Bloom

LONDON — The U.K. parliament is set to consider decriminalizing abortion in England and Wales this summer, two people with knowledge of the plans have told POLITICO.

Two backbench Labour MPs are drawing up separate proposals to change the law which would be brought before MPs in the coming months, after previous plans ran out of time before the 2024 general election.

Continued: https://www.politico.eu/article/mp-vote-decriminalize-abortion-england/

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

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abortion law reform

Congress of the State of Mexico

decriminalization of abortion

State of Mexico Congress Votes to Decriminalize Abortion

Authorities Should Ensure Access to Care, Wide Dissemination of Legal Protections

Nov 28, 2024
Human Rights Watch

(Toluca) – The vote by the Congress of the State of Mexico on November 25, 2024, to decriminalize abortion in all cases during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is a significant step forward for reproductive rights in the country’s most populous state, Human Rights Watch said today.

Once enacted, the reform will remove all criminal penalties for abortion within the first trimester. It will align the State of Mexico with 18 other states in the country that have already decriminalized abortion following the landmark 2021 ruling by Mexico’s Supreme Court, which found the absolute criminalization of abortion unconstitutional.

Continued: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/28/state-mexico-congress-votes-decriminalize-abortion

28.11.2024

News

Congress of the State of Mexico

Cristina Quijano Carrasco

decriminalization of abortion

Germany Faces Growing Pressure to Reform its Outdated Abortion Law

New law proposed by German organizations and experts builds on recommendations from a government-appointed expert commission

Oct 24, 2024
Center for Reproductive Rights

On 17 October, German civil society organisations and legal experts unveiled a new model law that showcases how vital legal reform on abortion can be achieved. The proposal builds on recommendations from a government-appointed expert commission, released earlier this year, which highlighted how Germany’s current abortion law falls short of international human rights and public health standards.

The group is urging German lawmakers to use the model law as a framework for long-overdue reform, calling for urgent action to expedite the adoption of changes needed to modernise the country’s legislation. They also presented a petition calling on German lawmakers to align with the broader European trend of removing harmful barriers to abortion access and expanding reproductive healthcare rights.

Continued: https://reproductiverights.org/germany-proposal-reform-abortion-law/

Philippines – Gabriela party-list nominee wants to decriminalize abortion in PH

By: John Eric Mendoza - Reporter
October 04, 2024

MANILA, Philippines — A nominee of Gabriela said the party-list group is in favor of decriminalizing abortion in the Philippines.

Gabriela’s first nominee former Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago filed the feminist party’s certification of nomination and acceptance (Cona) at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Friday.

Continued: https://www.inquirer.net/415516/gabriela-party-list-nominee-wants-to-decriminalize-abortion/

04.10.2024

News

Cathy Estavillo

decriminalization of abortion

5 reasons why abortion is health care

Access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health, from preventing unsafe abortions and complications to upholding bodily autonomy.

September 26, 2024

At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we consider safe abortion care a critical part of our sexual and reproductive health care services—one that can save lives and support the well-being of our patients.

Our teams around the world work in countries with varying laws and cultural views on abortion. Every day, MSF staff see firsthand how access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health. Anyone who seeks an abortion—no matter their reason—is deserving of high-quality and dignified care. When patients can access safe abortion care in their communities, the risk of complications related to unsafely induced abortion significantly decreases. There are instances in which safe abortion care is medically necessary to preserve an individual’s health and well-being, or even save their life. As health providers, MSF is committed to upholding medical ethics and person-centered care, which includes access to safe abortion.

Continued: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/5-reasons-why-abortion-health-care

26.09.2024

Commentary

bodily autonomy

complications of unsafe abortion

decriminalization of abortion

Doctors Without Borders

Dr. Rasha Khoury

Médecins Sans Frontières

safe abortion

self-managed abortion

World Health Organization

Puebla becomes the 14th Mexican state to decriminalize abortion

MND Staff
July 16, 2024

Puebla has become the 14th state in Mexico to decriminalize abortion.

Despite the efforts of far-right groups to disrupt Monday’s session of the Puebla state Congress, the legislative body voted 29-7, with four abstentions, to allow abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion hasn’t been a federal crime in Mexico since a 2021 ruling by the Supreme Court struck down a law criminalizing abortion in the northern state of Coahuila.

Continued: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/politics/puebla-decriminalize-abortion/

17.07.2024

News

abortion law reform

decriminalization of abortion

Monica Silva

Puebla State Congress

Dominican Republic’s Senate Doubles Down on Abortion Ban in Criminal Code

Bill Reduces Penalties for Sexual Violence, Excludes LGBT People from Protection

Stephanie Lustig, Research Assistant, Women’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch
July 3, 2024

A deeply problematic bill for a new Criminal Code is now approaching final approval in the Dominican Republic's Senate. The bill, which the Senate approved on first review on June 26, maintains the country's complete ban on abortion. It also reduces penalties for sexual violence within marriage, classified as ‘non-consensual sexual activity,’ and continues to exclude sexual orientation from the list of characteristics protected from discrimination, thus failing to afford equal protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

The Dominican Republic is one of only five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that maintains a total prohibition on abortion and imposes incarceration for women and girls seeking abortions, as well as for those performing them. For decades, women's rights organizations have called for access to safe and legal abortion.

Continued: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/03/dominican-republics-senate-doubles-down-abortion-ban-criminal-code

03.07.2024

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abortion law reform

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decriminalization of abortion

A woman might win the presidency of Mexico. What could that mean for abortion rights?

Neither of the two leading candidates has shared specific proposals on abortion. Both have suggested equality and protection measures for women amid a wave of violence and femicide.

By María Teresa Hernández | The Associated Press
Published April 27, 2024

If a woman wins Mexico’s presidency on June 2, would she rule with gender in mind? The question has been raised by academics, humans rights organizations and activists ahead of the voting that will likely elect Mexico’s first female president for the term 2024-2030.

Out of three candidates, the frontrunner is Claudia Sheinbaum, who has promised to keep President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's legacy on track. Next comes Xóchitl Gálvez, representing several opposition parties, one of which is historically conservative.

Continued: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/a-woman-might-win-the-presidency-of-mexico-what-could-that-mean-for-abortion-rights/3399038/