At a time when fundamental rights are experiencing a dramatic decline in the United States, many voices are rising in favor protect the right to abortion. In Strasbourg, a majority of the members of the European Parliament they have moved in this direction.
A necessary unanimity … but not achieved
“Everyone has the right to a safe and legal abortion “: With 324 votes in favor (155 against, 38 abstentions) Lthey are MEPs asked the Board to the right to abortion is enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This vote took place on July 7, 2022.
They therefore had to deal with to the current treaties of the European Union which imply the inclusion of abortion among fundamental rights requires the unanimity of the 27 member countries. The deputies then asked the Council to ” discuss a convention to revise the treaties ” challenge the unanimity rule.
In an article published on the same day, Le Figaro reports that MEPs took the opportunity to insist on the following points:
” EU countries should ensure access to safe, legal and free abortion services, antenatal and maternal care services, voluntary family planning, contraception, youth-friendly services, as well as HIV prevention, treatment and support, without discrimination. ”
A right not guaranteed in some EU countries
If the unanimity rule poses a serious problem, it is because there are still countries in Europe where the right to abortion is still precarious (when it is not completely prohibited).
This is the case with the archipelago of Malta, the only European state where the voluntary termination of pregnancy is totally prohibited. A person who wishes to have an abortion is at risk from eighteen months to three years of imprisonment. As for doctors, they can get it 4 years in prison and a life sentence from exercise. June 27, finished 130 doctors The Maltese have filed an appeal against this ban, which hinders the delivery of immediate and timely care and “endangers the life and health of pregnant women”.
In Polandafter attempting to ban it in 2016, the government restricted the right to abortion allowing Polish women to have abortions only in case of rape or danger to their life. In Portugal, the costs related to abortion are borne entirely by women and they are obliged to undergo a thorough psychological examination in order to have an abortion.
Featured image credit: Diliff / Wikipedia creative commons
Source: Madmoizelle
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
