San Marino’s parliament passed a law on Wednesday evening lifting the ban on abortion. In the future, abortions are allowed up to the twelfth week of pregnancy. In September last year, a clear majority of residents voted in favor of legal abortion in a referendum.
The referendum was demanded by feminist movements that had tried unsuccessfully for 18 years to lift the abortion ban. The population finally agreed with them: 77.3 percent of the inhabitants voted for the legalization of abortion in the European mini-state on the Apennines. The turnout was 41 percent.
After the referendum, the local parliament was forced to amend the penal code and pass a new law. The latter was passed on Wednesday with 32 votes in favour, seven against and ten abstentions. In detail, abortions are now allowed up to the twelfth week, without explanation.
Situation like in Austria
If the woman’s life is in danger, if there are serious health risks, if the fetus is deformed, if there has been rape or incest, a subsequent abortion is still legal. The new situation is therefore similar to that in Austria, where abortion is allowed within the first three months and later intervention is still possible, among other things, for under 14-year-olds.
The San Marino law also provides for the establishment of counseling centers to allow minors access to emergency contraceptives without parental consent or a prescription, the provision of sex education in schools, and the prosecution of professionals who spread false information to discourage women from having abortions. to commit.
Not exempt from punishment across Europe
Prior to this law, two articles of the Criminal Code provided for a prison sentence of six months to three years for the woman who had undergone an abortion, and a prison term of up to six years for those who provided material assistance or assistance to her in doing so. In Europe, abortions are still illegal or at least heavily restricted in the Vatican, Malta, Andorra, Liechtenstein and Poland.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
