Briefly summarized: The abortion committee has submitted its report and proposes a new abortion law which recognizes women’s right to make independent choices, but also ensures the right for the unborn life. A majority of the committee recommends that the limit for self-determined abortion be moved to the end of the 18th week of pregnancy to ensure pregnant women’s autonomy and self-determination. The committee recommends that pregnant minors and pregnant women with developmental disabilities or mental illness should be given increased self-determination and the ability to act in the matter of abortion. The committee proposes to abolish the current abortion boards and establish 5-10 new ones that will process applications for abortion, in order to strengthen legal certainty for those who apply for an abortion after week 18. The committee proposes to repeal the Abortion Act’s provision on punishment for carrying out an illegal abortion or sharing information, as they believe this is sufficiently regulated in other legislation. The committee proposes that it be investigated in more detail how an offer can be organized outside hospital for women who are to have an abortion at home before the 10th week of pregnancy. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. The abortion committee’s report was delivered to the health minister on Thursday – We need a new abortion law. An abortion law for our time. A law which recognizes that women have the right to make independent choices. At the same time, the law must ensure the right to unborn life and human equality. This was said by the head of the abortion committee, Kari Sønderland, when she presented the report at a press conference. – The abortion law was created in a different time, and has remained unchanged for almost 50 years. At the same time as our society has undergone major changes, said Sønderland. She refers to changes in attitudes towards women, and self-determination for the individual over important choices in life. – We hope that the investigation we have now carried out leads to more knowledge and a broad debate about what offers women should get, how to meet abortion seekers, and what legislation we should have in the future when it comes to abortion, said the committee leader. Will increase the limit A majority of the committee recommends that the limit for self-determined abortion be moved to the end of the 18th week of pregnancy. The justification given for this is to ensure pregnant women’s autonomy and self-determination and to protect respect for unborn life, in line with current practice. There are two dissents on this question. The first dissent recommends that the current limit for self-determined abortion until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy be continued in the new law. The second dissent recommends that the limit be moved to the end of the 22nd week of pregnancy. This means that both tribunals and terms fall away. – Thank you to the committee for a solid piece of work, and for a historic report that we want to have great significance for women in Norway, said Health Minister Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap) when she received the abortion committee’s report. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Recommends increased self-determination – The entire committee recommends that pregnant minors and pregnant women with developmental disabilities or mental disorders should be given increased self-determination and the ability to act in the matter of abortion, said Sønderland. The rationale is that all pregnant women must, as far as possible, be guaranteed autonomy and self-determination in line with human rights requirements. The committee recommends new conditions for abortion after the time of self-determination. – The committee recommends conditions that more clearly balance the pregnant woman’s interest and autonomy against ensuring respect for the unborn life, said the committee leader. Access to abortion is not directly linked to characteristics and diagnoses of the fetus, but to the woman’s situation. Access to abortion must in practice be the same as in the current law. Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap) receives the abortion committee’s report. The committee is chaired by Kari Sønderland (tv). Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Reduction in the number of fetuses When it comes to reductions in the number of fetuses, the committee believes that consideration of the remaining fetus or fetuses is central. – A majority (7 out of 13 members) in the committee recommends that all applications for a reduction in the number of fetuses be processed by an abortion board, says Sønderland. She says that the entire committee proposes compulsory guidance. A minority consisting of 6 out of 13 members recommends a form of self-determination until the end of the 14th week of pregnancy. Abortion boards The entire committee recommends that the current abortion boards be abolished and that 5–10 new abortion boards be established to process applications for abortion. – This is done to strengthen legal certainty for those who apply for an abortion after week 18, to have more efficient, uniform and transparent case management where the dual role of the tribunals is removed, said Sønderland. The tribunals must process applications for abortion, information and guidance must be provided by the health service, not the tribunals. The proceedings shall preferably be in writing, but the women shall have the right to attend if they wish. Complaints board The new boards are recommended to consist of a doctor who heads the board, a lawyer and a person with health expertise. – The committee recommends that a national appeals board be established for abortion cases linked to Health Appeals, said Sønderland. In the event of a refusal, the application is automatically sent to the Appeals Board as it is today. The new thing is that the appeal board must also have a quality assurance and guidance task towards the boards. In line with the committee’s mandate, the provision and healthcare personnel’s right of reservation will be continued, and the committee proposes that it be included in the Abortion Act. Want to abolish penalties The whole committee proposes to abolish the Abortion Act’s provision on penalties for carrying out an illegal abortion or sharing information. The committee believes that this is sufficiently regulated in other legislation. All women today have the right to information and guidance. The committee similarly proposes a duty for the health service to provide information and guidance. So a corresponding duty. The committee also proposes a right to a follow-up interview for women who have had an abortion. Abortion at home The committee proposes that it be investigated in more detail how an offer can be organized outside hospital for women who are to have an abortion at home before the 10th week of pregnancy. – This could mean, among other things, that women can have an abortion at a GP or at a health centre, said Sønderland. The committee has then proposed legislation that will not be an obstacle to such organisation. These are measures that are outside an abortion law and if this is to be introduced, it will require a change in regulations. The whole committee proposes a focus on wider research in the area, investigation of changes in the Abortion Register and the Medical Birth Register, and a follow-up evaluation of the offer of early ultrasound and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). The task The committee’s task has, among other things, been to consider extending the limit for self-determined abortion, which is currently set at 12 weeks into the pregnancy. The report will form the basis for further work on amendments to the Abortion Act in the Storting. The committee has been led by lawyer and former expedition manager in the Ministry of Health and Care Kari Sønderland. Most of the other members are professionals in medicine and law.
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– We need an abortion law for our time – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
