Proposal in French Parliament Would Protect Unborn Children

Proposal in French Parliament Would Protect Unborn Children

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 29, 2003

Paris, France (LifeNews.com) -- The lower house of the French parliament approved a measure that was tacked onto a larger crime bill that would put in place prison terms and fines for criminals who kill an unborn child as a result of killing or injuring a pregnant mother during an assault or in car accidents.

Lawmakers who voted in favor it say it doesn't affect the state of the abortion law in the country. It still requires the approval of the upper house before becoming law, though that is unlikely to happen.

The amendment was passed in part as a response to a 1995 case where a French woman lost her unborn child after she was hit by a car. The speeding driver was acquitted because French law did not allow police to prosecute him for the baby's death.

Abortion advocates and pro-abortion lawmakers claim the proposal could be used to limit the country's law's allowing abortions. Abortion has been legal in France since 1975.

"This is a very serious move against women and their right to choose to give life," said pro-abortion lawyer Gisele Halimi.

Left-wing opposition lawmakers opposed the amendment, which was proposed by a center-right UMP coalition member.

UMP parliamentary leader Jacques Barrot said opponents are misrepresenting the intent of the legislation.

"We didn't intend to use this debate to address the problem of abortion," Barrot told a party meeting. "It's regrettable that this amendment, which sets out to improve the remedy of an injustice, should have provoked such a senseless quarrel."

Opponents don't buy their argument.

"I am accusing you of trying to open the door to a challenge against the right to abortion," Jean-Yves Le Bouillonnec, a Socialist parliamentarian said during the debate, according to the Associated Press.


Enter your email address to receive news from LifeNews.com via email. Do you prefer to receive news daily or weekly? Daily Weekly Do you favor or oppose abortion? Favor Oppose Click here to make a PayPal donation to LifeNews.com!	Proposal in French Parliament Would Protect Unborn Children by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor November 29, 2003 Paris, France (LifeNews.com) -- The lower house of the French parliament approved a measure that was tacked onto a larger crime bill that would put in place prison terms and fines for criminals who kill an unborn child as a result of killing or injuring a pregnant mother during an assault or in car accidents. Lawmakers who voted in favor it say it doesn't affect the state of the abortion law in the country. It still requires the approval of the upper house before becoming law, though that is unlikely to happen. The amendment was passed in part as a response to a 1995 case where a French woman lost her unborn child after she was hit by a car. The speeding driver was acquitted because French law did not allow police to prosecute him for the baby's death. Abortion advocates and pro-abortion lawmakers claim the proposal could be used to limit the country's law's allowing abortions. Abortion has been legal in France since 1975. "This is a very serious move against women and their right to choose to give life," said pro-abortion lawyer Gisele Halimi. Left-wing opposition lawmakers opposed the amendment, which was proposed by a center-right UMP coalition member. UMP parliamentary leader Jacques Barrot said opponents are misrepresenting the intent of the legislation. "We didn't intend to use this debate to address the problem of abortion," Barrot told a party meeting. "It's regrettable that this amendment, which sets out to improve the remedy of an injustice, should have provoked such a senseless quarrel." Opponents don't buy their argument. "I am accusing you of trying to open the door to a challenge against the right to abortion," Jean-Yves Le Bouillonnec, a Socialist parliamentarian said during the debate, according to the Associated Press.