Special report: The number of pro-life marches in Europe is growing
March for life in Switzerland. Photo Marsch fürs Läbe
European Union
The number of pro-life marches in Europe is rising. Especially during the last decade, new marches have been added. Almost all countries on the continent have at least a yearly march for the protection of life.
Stay up to date with Christian news in Europe? Sign up for CNE's newsletter.
Pro-life demonstrations started in France in 1988, followed by the Netherlands in 1992. In the first ten years after that, the growth was slow. The total number has grown to forty in 36 countries. In some countries, like Ukraine, there have been more than two or even three demonstrations. In Romania, there is a march in several cities.
More recently, these efforts have continued an upward trend. At CNE, we compiled a special report that covers key findings that emerged throughout our research on the various pro-life movements throughout Europe. We found significant patterns regarding the marches' frequency, timing, and focus in those specific European regions.
The frequency of these marches increased in Western and Eastern Europe, especially after 2010. At least nine marches began in the 2010s, specifically in Eastern Europe, and in the 2020s, another five were added in that region. Four new marches also appeared in Central Europe. In the northern and southern regions, at least two marches emerged after 2020, and four new ones appeared in Western Europe after 2010.
Once and done
In the CNE research, we also found marches that appeared to be one-time events. In Serbia (2015), North Macedonia (2014), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (2023), incidental demonstrations were not repeated later. It is not always clear why this is. In Ukraine, several pro-life and family marches occurred in 2019 and 2021. Perhaps the war against Russia may have hampered efforts to expand the pro-life presence within the nation.
In 2013, a group organised a march in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. However, the demonstration was never held because of a government ban. It seems that the authoritarian regime of President Lukashenko could not accept any criticism of the legislation in his country. The abortion law in Belarus dates from 1955 and is one of the most liberal in Europe.
When it comes to approach, some marches combined other political issues outside of abortion. Many left room for bringing up euthanasia and assisted suicide, which are current issues in some E.U. states.
As governments debated the conditions, many marches found opportunities to become more vocal about not allowing new euthanasia policies in their countries. Poland and Ukraine featured marches that included family-related themes and advocated a traditional family structure.
March for Life
Several of these events are termed March for Life. Because of this name, there is reason to believe that they have been influenced by the American pro-life initiative, March for Life, which has occurred every year in Washington, D.C., since January 1974.
While these European Marches for Life may not directly relate to US-based initiatives, some organisers can trace their roots to American pro-life organisations—for example, one of the oldest and largest American pro-life organisations, National Right to Life. While the organisation operates primarily in the U.S., an international wing called the Federal Association of Right to Life Federation also exists worldwide, including in Europe.
Regardless of origin, one thing remains evident across the E.U. Even as the number of abortions continues to rise across Europe, so does the number of those who want to march for life.
Related Articles
