The German Bundestag has decided to end the advertising ban on abortions. Previously, this also affected detailed information about abortions. Doctors could not offer these without fear of prosecution.
The traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP and the left-wing faction decided on Friday to repeal paragraph 219a of the criminal law. The Union and the AfD voted against. In detail, the now withdrawn member regulates the ban on the advertising of abortions. However, it included not only advertising per se, but also the public offering of information about abortions.
Previous judgments are quashed
The situation became known, for example, through Giessen GP Kristina Hänel, who was convicted in 2017 and fought for years to change the law. She and all other doctors convicted in this regard since October 3, 1990, must now be acquitted.
However, since only informational and not “offensive and inappropriate advertising” for abortions will be allowed in the future, the government draft provides for an extension of the drug advertising law. So far, this law has regulated advertising in other areas, such as medical products. Medically necessary abortions should remain exempt from the Medicines Advertising Act.
“Good day for women”
Minister of the Family Lisa Paus (Greens) and Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) are positive about the end of the advertising ban. “Doctors can finally provide factual information about an abortion without fear of criminal prosecution or stigmatization. Today is a good day for doctors in Germany – and especially for the women in our country,” Pope said. An abortion should not be a criminal offense, but a health service. Germany’s Justice Minister Buschmann added that many of those affected would first look for information on the Internet, but “any troll and any conspiracy theorist could be spreading things out there”.
As expected, criticism came from the conservative Union and the right-wing populist AfD. Women should be able to obtain detailed information about abortions and the rights to the unborn life should not be neglected. An abortion is and will remain “not a normal medical service,” said Dorothee Bär (CSU), vice-chairman of the union faction. “Abortion is not a winning issue for anyone.”
The law has yet to be formally adopted by the Bundesrat, but could enter into force without the approval of the Länderkammer.
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.
