Developments within Europe

Personally I didn’t have an abortion. I’m writting here because I want to support your initiative. I’m from Poland... situation in my country is very difficult now because our government conducts ‘family policy’ (they want to prohibit an abortion even if pregnancy is dangerous for woman, they will promote natural (only natural) contraception methods in schools etc.) Pro-choice and feminist organizations are fighting... but what can they do without help from foreign organizations? I hope that in futere something will change... maybe someone will help us. I’m sorry about mistakes.

Portugal's Constitutional Court approved the question which the government wants to put to voters in a proposed referendum aimed at easing the nation's restrictive abortion laws.

Voters will be asked to respond to the question: "Do you agree with the decriminalisation of voluntary termination of pregnancy if it takes place, at the woman's request, within the first ten weeks of pregnancy in a legally authorised medical facility?".

Daily Mail 24-01-06 "Parents do not have the right to know if their child is seeking an abortion, a judge ruled yesterday. His decision ended a mother's fight to overturn Government policy and prevent girls under 16 from terminating a pregnancy without their parents' permission." "Justice Silber said doctors and sex advisers need not tell the parents of a girl under 16 if she wants contraception or abortion - as long as she fully understands what she is asking for." "the judge said: "There are strong arguments in favour of preserving the duty of medical professionals to keep confidential their dealings with young people who do not wish their parents to be informed or notified especially. "The consequence of those young people not seeking advice and treatment is disturbing, as many of them might then have sexual intercourse without the benefit of contraception, while other young people will not obtain advice or treatment on sexually-transmissible diseases. "This is quite likely to damage the health of not only the young person concerned but also the health of their past, present and future partners." He added: "Finally, if young girls are deterred because of the lack of confidentiality from seeking advice from a doctor on a possible abortion, she might, by so doing, make a decision that she later regretsor she might seek the assistance of an unqualified abortionist." Well done judge!!