Spain's conservative government on Friday Dec 20,2013 approved tight restrictions on
abortion, allowing the practice only in the case of rape or when there
is a serious health risk to the mother or fetus.
The previous government made abortion widely legal before the 14th week only three years ago. But the ruling Popular Party has long sided with the Roman Catholic Church on moral and social issues and made changing the law one of its main promises in the 2011 vote that brought it to power.
Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said the change was necessary to provide greater protection for both women and the unborn "What the government understands is that in the dramatic circumstances of an abortion the woman is not guilty. The woman is always the victim,"
The bill has been vigorously opposed by most opposition parties and women's groups, who see it as an attack on women's rights and a step backward compared to Spain's neighbors in Europe
Women protest changes that could limit access to abortion in Spain. The sign reads: "Take abortion out of Spain's penal code."
The legislation must still be approved by parliament, but the Popular Party's large majority means it is almost certain to pass
Women seeking abortions will need approval from two doctors who are not performing the procedure and doctors can decline to perform an abortion for reasons of conscience
The previous government made abortion widely legal before the 14th week only three years ago. But the ruling Popular Party has long sided with the Roman Catholic Church on moral and social issues and made changing the law one of its main promises in the 2011 vote that brought it to power.
Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said the change was necessary to provide greater protection for both women and the unborn "What the government understands is that in the dramatic circumstances of an abortion the woman is not guilty. The woman is always the victim,"
The bill has been vigorously opposed by most opposition parties and women's groups, who see it as an attack on women's rights and a step backward compared to Spain's neighbors in Europe
Women protest changes that could limit access to abortion in Spain. The sign reads: "Take abortion out of Spain's penal code."
The legislation must still be approved by parliament, but the Popular Party's large majority means it is almost certain to pass
Women seeking abortions will need approval from two doctors who are not performing the procedure and doctors can decline to perform an abortion for reasons of conscience
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