International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion

19 March 2015




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CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY                          

 


Spain: Abortion bill endangers girls

Popular Party Should Abandon Parental Consent Requirement

 

The Popular Party government in Spain is making a new attempt to restrict abortion rights, this time access to abortion of girls aged 16-17, which was announced today in a press release by the Alianza por la Solidaridad in Madrid. The press release reported that a protest letter had just been sent to members of the national Congress by 22 Spanish-speaking abortion rights and women's and human rights groups, calling on them to abandon this new attempt to restrict abortion rights.

 

SIGN THE PETITION

Amnesty Spain is circulating a petition that will be sent to the Minister of Health, Social Affairs and Equality, and the Popular Party Parliamentary Group, calling for withdrawal of the bill.                    

It already has 32,000 signatures. Please sign the petition at:  

https://www.es.amnesty.org/actua/acciones/espana-aborto-feb15/

Nombre (first name) - Apellidos (surname) - Email - Pais de residencia (Country of residence) - o you want more information from Amnesty Int? -  ENVIAR (SEND!)

 

Background

The draft legislation, under examination in the Spanish Congress, would force 16- and 17-year-old girls to obtain the consent of their parents to terminate a pregnancy, even if the requirement would place them at risk of serious conflict, violence, or abuse. Under the bill, a parent's refusal to give consent could only be challenged in court, raising serious concerns about the effect on girls' well-being and whether courts could make such a decision in a timely manner.

 

Current Spanish law already requires 16- and 17-year-olds to inform their parents or legal guardians, but it does not require their consent as well. The current law also removes the notification requirement altogether if that notification could provoke a serious conflict or family violence, threats, coercion, abuse, or abandonment.

 

In 2014, 3.6% of all women having an abortion in Spain were 16- and 17-year-olds. Of these, 12.4% - 400 girls - did not inform their parents/guardians, citing the above grounds.

 

SIGN THE PETITION

https://www.es.amnesty.org/actua/acciones/espana-aborto-feb15/

Nombre (first name) - Apellidos (surname) - Email - Pais de residencia (Country of residence)

 - Do you want more information from Amnesty Int? - ENVIAR (SEND!)

 

PLEASE ALSO CIRCULATE THIS TO YOUR OWN NETWORKS!!!

 

Many thanks for your support!