Republic of Slovakia Approves Bill to Inform Women of Abortion’s Risks, Dangers
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 23, 2009
Bratislava, Slovakia (LifeNews.com) — The parliament of the Republic of Slovakia, the Seimas, has voted to approve an amendment to inform women of the dangers of abortion, the alternatives to abortion, and facts on the development of the unborn child. The measure would also require parental consent before a teen can get an abortion.
The bill flies in the face of repeated pressure from the United Nations for Slovakia to do more to promote and expand abortion.
The eastern European nation currently allows abortion for any reason within the first trimester of pregnancy and has some limits on abortion after that point.
Marie Smith, the director of the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues, told LifeNews.com she was pleased with the vote.
“This pro-woman, pro-life amendment is great news for Slovak women who will have access to the true facts about the harmful physical and psychological effects of abortion, be offered alternatives to abortion and fully informed on the development of their unborn child," she said.
The Seimas voted 80-7 in favor of the pro-life measure and its abortion limits, which is a strong vote, Smith explained, since the legislative body is evenly split on the question of legal abortions.
“Slovak lawmakers found ‘common ground’ in agreeing that women deserve to know the truth about abortion, need to know the alternatives to abortion, should have resources to help them successfully deliver and take care of their infants, and be informed on the age and development of their unborn child," she told LifeNews.com late Monday.
“Lawmakers were also careful to support the right of parents to know that a minor daughter is pregnant and seeking an abortion. This measure will help prevent the cover-up of sexual crimes against young women," she continued.
Smith believes the vote holds critical importance because parliamentarians agreed that the amendment is “in accordance with the Constitution of the Slovak Republic, with the international treaties and other international documents binding for the Slovak Republic.”
Pro-abortion NGOs lobbied heavily against the bill charging in a letter to the Parliament that the amendment violated international and regional human rights “standards."
Smith concluded, “Pro-abortion NGOs from around the world heavily lobbied the Slovak lawmakers in opposition to giving women vital information about the consequences of abortion including US-based Center for Reproductive Rights, Ipas and Catholics for Choice. Why don’t pro-abortion NGOs trust women with the facts on abortion?”
Estelle Duval of the local Familiokratos Coalition also commented on the passage of the pro-life bill, which also establishes a three day waiting period within the current Slovak abortion law.
She was disappointed that American pro-abortion groups tried to lobby local lawmakers against the bill.
"International abortion groups’ pressure, coordinated by the US based pro-abortion network Center for Reproductive Rights, called for rejection of the amendment," she explained. "A letter signed by 19 pro-abortion organizations and networks and seven individuals was sent to all Slovak policy makers."
A couple of days before the vote, more than 80 organizations and 53 individuals from all over the world, alerted by the Familiokratos Coalition, contacted Slovak legislators in response.
"While international abortion groups seek to put pressure on this Parliament to restrict a woman’s choice, it is paramount that abortion is not a human right under European law and that individual States have the sole authority to determine the protections they wish to afford to life and to women’s health," she said.
Related web sites:
Familiokratos Coalition – https://familiokratosen.blogspot.com
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