Abortions should no longer be a criminal offence in Germany, a commission of experts appointed by the German government has said.
"In the early phase of pregnancy (…) the legislator should allow abortion with the woman's consent," reads the summary of a report by the commission, which was presented in Berlin on Monday.
At present, abortions are possible in the early stages of pregnancy – within the first twelve weeks – on condition that the woman undergoes counselling beforehand. Abortions are also permissible if there are certain medical reasons or following rape.
However, these situations are defined as exceptions in the Criminal Code, which otherwise stipulates abortion a criminal offence.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party government had agreed in their coalition deal to set up a commission to examine the extent to which abortions could be regulated outside of the penal code.
"The fundamental illegality of abortion in the early stages of pregnancy (…) is not tenable. The legislator should take action here and make abortion legal and unpunishable," Liane Wörner, the commission's coordinator on the topic, said on Monday.
Although abortion is currently exempt from punishment under certain conditions, "it is still marked as unlawful, as an injustice." said the deputy coordinator, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, criticizing the current rule.
A change is not simply a formality, she added. For the women concerned, it makes a big difference whether what they are doing is legal or illegal. "It also has an impact on the obligation of statutory health insurers to provide benefits."
The commission was also tasked with examining the possibility of legalizing egg donation and surrogacy. In their report, the experts considered both to be permissible under certain circumstances.
In the case of egg donation, this would be the case "provided it rests on a legal basis that guarantees the necessary protection of the donor and the welfare of the child in particular," they say.
Germany and Luxembourg are the only EU countries in which egg donation is still prohibited, said Claudia Wiesemann from the University of Göttingen, the coordinator for the topic in the commission.
As with sperm donation, it was important to safeguard the child's right to know its origins, she noted.
According to the commission, surrogacy could be authorized in certain cases, "provided that the protection of the surrogate mother and the child's welfare are sufficiently guaranteed."
Following the presentation of the expert report, Family Minister Lisa Paus, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann were due to make statements on Monday afternoon.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
Shouldn’t the government prioritize decriminalizing early-phase abortion in Germany to protect women’s rights?
Decriminalizing early-phase abortion in Germany is indeed crucial to protect women’s rights. The commission’s recommendation to legalize and make abortion unpunishable reflects the progressive mindset needed for reproductive freedom.
Germany’s Got the Pros for Making Early-Phase Abortion Chill. I strongly believe that it is crucial for abortions to no longer be considered a criminal offense in Germany. It is a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. The current laws are outdated and restrictive, and it is time for the legislator to allow abortion with the woman’s consent without the fear of criminal consequences. It is about time that women’s reproductive rights are recognized and respected.
Do you think the German government will act swiftly on the expert commission’s recommendation to decriminalize early-phase abortions?
It is crucial that the German government acts promptly on the expert commission’s recommendation to decriminalize early-phase abortions. The current situation, where abortion is technically permissible but still considered unlawful, creates unnecessary obstacles for women in need of this healthcare service.
Do you think all political parties in Germany will support this recommendation for making early-phase abortion legal?
It is likely that most political parties in Germany will rally behind this recommendation to legalize early-phase abortion, considering the progressive stance on women’s rights in the country.
As a woman, I strongly support the recommendation to decriminalize abortion in Germany. It’s time to trust women with their own reproductive choices and remove the stigma and legal barriers surrounding abortion.
As a feminist, I fully support the commission’s recommendation to decriminalize abortion in Germany. Women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies without fear of punishment or stigma. It’s time for the law to reflect respect for women’s autonomy and reproductive rights.
As a woman, I strongly support the commission’s recommendations to decriminalize abortion in Germany. It’s time to make abortion legal and accessible for all women without fear of punishment. This change is essential for women’s reproductive rights and autonomy.
Do you think this will have a significant impact on women’s rights in Germany?