The EU Parliament has spoken out in favor of including the right to abortion in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. On Thursday in Brussels, 336 parliamentarians voted in favor of a corresponding resolution, 163 against; 39 abstained from voting.
The project builds on previous initiatives. This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, among others, at the start of the French presidency of the EU Council in January 2022.
Right to self-determination in the Charter of Fundamental Rights?
With the resolution, MEPs call on EU Member States to include the right to physical self-determination and to free, informed, full and universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including safe and legal abortion, in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Union, adopted in 2000.
This would require a unanimous amendment of the EU treaties. The chance of this is low.
Completely decriminalize abortion
The resolution also calls on EU countries to fully decriminalize abortion in line with the 2022 WHO guidelines and to remove barriers to safe and legal abortions. In particular, MPs urgently called on Poland and Malta to repeal their restrictive laws. France, on the other hand, was the first EU country to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution at the beginning of March (see video above).
The right to life is the cornerstone of all human rights
The proposal was submitted by members of the Social Democrats, Liberals, Greens and Left, as well as some Swedish parliamentarians. The interest group of the Catholic bishops in Brussels had criticized the parliamentarians’ step in advance. The right to life is the cornerstone of all other human rights, it was explained.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
