Public Hearing of the Legal Affairs Committee on New Regulations on Abortions
Berlin, January 23, 2025 – Today, the Legal Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag held a public hearing on the draft law “Protection of the Unborn Child – Strengthening the Rights of Pregnant Women and the Unborn Child” (Gesetz zum Schutz des ungeborenen Kindes – Stärkung der Rechte schwangerer Frauen und des ungeborenen Kindes).
The draft law aims to amend the German Criminal Code (§§ 218a, 218b, 219a) and the Medical Advertisement Act (§ 21) to restrict access to abortions in Germany.
Key Changes Proposed
- Advertising Ban: Advertising abortions would be prohibited under the new law.
- Waiting Period: Pregnant women seeking an abortion would be required to wait three days after the initial consultation before undergoing the procedure.
- Mandatory Counseling: Comprehensive counseling would be mandatory for pregnant women considering abortion.
- Penalty for Illegal Abortions: The maximum penalty for performing an illegal abortion would be increased from two to five years in prison.
Expert Opinions
During the hearing, experts from various fields testified on the potential impact of the new regulations.
- Medical Experts: Medical professionals, including obstetricians and gynecologists, expressed concerns about the increased risk to pregnant women if access to abortions were restricted. They argued that the waiting period could delay essential medical care, and the advertising ban would limit women’s access to accurate information.
- Legal Experts: Legal experts debated the constitutionality of the proposed changes, citing potential violations of the right to self-determination and the protection of women’s health.
- Pro-Life Advocates: Representatives of pro-life organizations welcomed the proposed restrictions, arguing that they were necessary to protect the rights of unborn children. They emphasized the importance of providing support to women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Public Reaction
The proposed changes have sparked intense public debate in Germany. Pro-choice advocates have organized protests and collected more than 100,000 signatures in a petition calling for the withdrawal of the draft law. Pro-life groups have held counter-protests and expressed their support for the government’s initiative.
Next Steps
The Legal Affairs Committee will now consider the expert testimonies and public feedback before drafting its recommendation on the draft law. The Bundestag is expected to vote on the final bill in the coming months.
Öffentliche Anhörung des Rechtsausschusses zu Neuregelungen zu Schwangerschaftsabbrüchen
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