Norwegian politician wants abortion ban
Northern Europe
Photo ANP, Robin Utrecht
Northern Europe
The United States of America might implement strict abortion regulations. Norwegian politician Joel Ystebø finds that a good idea. He hopes the same will happen in Norway.
Joel Ystebø is the deputy leader of the youth department of the Kristeleg Folkepartis (Christian Democratic party). According to the Norwegian deputy leader, life starts at conception, whether the abortion limit is at week six or week 0.
Inspired by the American abortion debate, he says to NRK that he would argue for an abortion ban in Norway. He wants to allow the termination of pregnancy only in the case of "rape, incest or danger to the mother's life." Currently, the American Supreme Court caused much upheaval because it thinks about removing the right to abortion.
Ystebø would like to see the same development in Norway. "Things have gone very far", he says to NRK, referring to the abortion practice in the United States, which is allowed to week 23 of pregnancy. He thinks that removing the right to abortion is the right way to go, "also for the Norwegian abortion policy."
There is a debate in Norway on whether the national abortion law should be extended or not. The current legislation allows women to have an abortion until week 12 of their pregnancy independently. After that, until week 18, a board must approve her decision. After week 18, women can no longer terminate their pregnancy, except for special reasons, NRK writes. The Liberal Party now wants to remove the boards that have to approve women's decisions between week 12 and week 18. If that happens, Norwegian women will have six more weeks to choose for abortion independently. The Storting will vote on the proposal in June, but the expectation is that it will not be passed.
Policies
Most European countries legalised abortions in the first trimester. Only Sweden and the Netherlands have extended abortion policies. For example, in the Netherlands, women can terminate their pregnancy until week 24.
Malta is the only country that does not allow abortion in any case. In Poland, abortions are only allowed in sporadic cases. There, women can only have an abortion in the case of rape, incest, or if their life is in danger, Politico reports.
Norwegian abortion legislation
Up to week 12 of the pregnancy: Women are free to choose an abortion
From week 12 onwards: If a woman wants an abortion, her decision has to be approved by a special committee of two doctors. At least one of them performs abortions at a hospital. Reasons that are considered valid for an abortion after the 12th week are, for example, pregnancy as the result of rape or incest, mental problems of the mother, or significant risk of a severe illness for the child.
After week 18, restrictions on whether abortion is allowed are even more substantial. The mother will need "particularly compelling" reasons, such as that her life is endangered or that the unborn child will not survive.
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