German Government Proposes New Abortion Law
Berlin, Germany – November 14, 2024
The German government has introduced a new draft law that would legalize abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy. The current law, which dates back to 1995, restricts abortion to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases where the mother’s life or health is at risk.
The new draft law, known as the “Law to Regulate Abortion,” would allow women to terminate their pregnancies without providing a reason up to the 24th week. After the 24th week, abortions would only be permitted if the woman’s life or health is at risk, or if the fetus is severely malformed.
The draft law has been met with mixed reactions. Pro-choice groups have welcomed the proposal, saying that it would give women more autonomy over their bodies and reproductive health. Anti-abortion groups, however, have condemned the law, saying that it would lead to an increase in abortions and would harm unborn children.
The draft law is currently being debated in the German parliament, the Bundestag. It is expected to face strong opposition from conservative lawmakers, who have a majority in the upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat.
If the law is passed, it would make Germany one of the most liberal countries in Europe in terms of abortion rights. Several other European countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, have already legalized abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy.
The debate over abortion in Germany has been going on for decades. In 1992, the Constitutional Court ruled that abortion is legal in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but that the government has a legitimate interest in protecting the unborn child after that point. The current law was passed in 1995 as a compromise between pro-choice and anti-abortion groups.
The new draft law is a significant step forward for reproductive rights in Germany. If passed, it would give women more autonomy over their bodies and reproductive health.
20/13776: Gesetzentwurf Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Neuregelung des Schwangerschaftsabbruchs (PDF)
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