Portugal's path to legal abortions (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Andre Vornic
BBC News

By setting out on the path to legalise abortion, Portugal treads where most western nations did 30 or 40 years ago.

In the European Union, only Poland, Malta, and Ireland have similar bans -- all of them, much like Portugal, strongly Catholic nations on the periphery of an increasingly secular continent.

Of all European countries where strict anti-abortion laws prevail, Portugal is the only one which actively prosecutes women undergoing terminations, as well as those performing or aiding them.

As late as five years ago, 49 people went on trial in the north of the country alongside the 17 women who had aborted at a clinic in the town of Maia.

Cause celebre

Doctors, pharmacists, and even taxi drivers who had transported them faced the judges and several were convicted.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6352763.stm

[Erika]

1. Most don't want the Catholic Taliban to rule women

The U.S. is fighting their own battle on this.

[Doondoo]

2. At least they're finally headed in the right direction

[HappyWeasel]

3. One thing that alerts me to the anti-choice scam is that...

when they have abortion bans, you would think you would be charged with murder and get life without parole (if not executed)...but no, abortion is a lesser, seperate crime. - I think this shows there is more interest in punishing fornication (with abortion certifying it) than defending "human rights".

Also, how do you prosecure such a secretive and prevasive activity? (arguable more secretive than drug use) When you ban abortion, you probably get into mandatory public weekly fertility tests, video cameras on every corner and less and less willingness to prosecute rape and domestic violence.