After almost 50 years after the first abortion law was adopted, the government believes it is time to make changes. The law has largely remained unchanged since self-determined abortion was enacted in 1978, said Health and Care Minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) when he presented the proposed changes. – Today’s abortion law has played an important role for women across the country for many decades, and my goal is that the new abortion law will also stand for a long time to come, he said. Proposes more changes news has previously reported that the government would extend the limit for self-determined abortion from 12 to 18 weeks. Vestre confirmed this when he presented the proposal for changes to the law at a press conference on Friday. – This is in line with practice today. Almost no one gets their application for an abortion rejected after week 12, he said. The government also proposes that reducing the number of fetuses should be equated with abortion, and that pregnant women themselves should have the right to decide whether they want to reduce the number of fetuses up to the age of 18, within the limit of what is medically justifiable. In addition, the government also proposes, among other things, changes to the tribunals and that the right of reservation for health personnel should be passed on and enshrined in law. Proposal for changes to the Abortion Act New purpose clause. The Ministry of Health and Welfare proposes that the law should have a twofold purpose. The law must ensure that consideration is given both to the rights of the pregnant woman and to society’s need to protect the unborn life. Women’s right to self-determined abortion is extended from week 12 to week 18. Fetal reduction is defined as abortion and the pregnant woman must have the right to decide for herself whether the number of fetuses should be reduced to week 18, within the limit of what is medically justifiable. Women have a statutory right to guidance and information, whether they choose to terminate or complete the pregnancy. Women who decide to have an abortion are given the statutory right to follow-up interviews afterwards. The current system of abortion boards is being reformed. Today’s tribunals will be abolished and new ones will be created to assess applications after the 18th week of pregnancy. The new committees will be headed by a doctor, have an additional member with health or social work expertise and one member with legal expertise. The majority of the tribunals must be women. Out of consideration for the prohibition against discrimination against persons with reduced functional capacity, medical conditions of the fetus shall not give a direct opportunity to give permission for an abortion. It should not be the condition in itself, but what the condition will mean for the pregnancy, birth, upbringing and care of the child that can provide grounds for abortion after the 18th week of pregnancy. The right of healthcare personnel to reserve against abortion for reasons of conscience is passed on and enshrined in law. Source: The Government Center Party disagrees The Government Party has agreed that there is a need for a new abortion law, but they are not completely agreed on what the new changes should be. The Ministers of the Center Party have therefore dissented on two points in the proposal. One is that they do not support extending the right to self-determined abortion from 12 to 18 weeks. Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) hopes the party’s representatives will vote against the proposal when it is considered in the Storting. – I hope as many people as possible vote in line with the party programme, but I respect that this is a matter of conscience, she says to the Nation. In addition, the party has dissented that reductions in the number of fetuses should be equated with abortion because they believe this is a specialized intervention where the pregnancy continues for one or more fetuses. Published 23.08.2024, at 12.34 Updated 23.08.2024, at 13.09
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The government proposes to change the abortion law – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
