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Abortion Laws: National and International
from:Abortion laws are those legislations which describe whether or not the practice of abortion is allowed in certain places, and how it can be practiced. As the technical details vary greatly from country to country, I will be focusing on general details for general geological areas.
Abortion laws were discussed in discourse all the way back to the ancient Greek and Roman times in the writings of such people as Plato and Aristotle, who favored abortion in certain circumstances, and Hippocrates who completely disagreed with the practice. Certain writers of this time period even discussed different abortifacient herbs – or herbs that cause abortion - and how to use them. Religion has always played a major role in the legalization or banning of abortion. Many Catholic popes have declared abortion a “sin against marriage”. In the 1800s, Western countries began making abortion illegal because of moral dilemmas and because the practice of abortion at that time was so dangerous. However, abortions did not decrease due to the bans. This is a major reason why in the 20th century legislation was passed in many countries legalizing the practice of abortion. Most countries now have legalized abortion procedures that are safer than other medical treatments available.
International abortion laws are difficult to uphold due to individual country’s laws. However, the United Nations, as well as other international organizations, has instituted a number of legislations regulating abortion and dealing with women’s rights. One such legislation is the 1994 Programme of Action, which states that abortion should not be used as a practice of family planning. It also recognizes that in countries where abortion is legal, those practices should be safe. In other words, this legislation helps make sure that abortion procedures are medically regulated and practiced by licensed professionals. Another of the international abortion laws states that women have the right to make a decision about her body without being coerced or punished. This legislation is called the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action.
Individual countries ultimately make their own abortion laws. In Africa, most countries allow Therapeutic abortion, but in cases of rape, socio-economic factors and fetal defects, abortions are not allowed. On demand abortions are illegal in almost every country. In Asian countries like China, North Korea and Cambodia, all abortions are legal. In Japan, abortions are only legal in the first and second trimester, and on demand abortion are not allowed. In Europe, most countries have relaxed abortion laws, except for in Malta and Vatican City, where all abortions are illegal. Ireland, San Marino, and Andorra allow for therapeutic abortions only. In the Middle East, only Bahrain allows all types of abortion; most countries provide for the health of the woman. In Canada and the United States, all types of abortion are legal, though on demand abortions are a bit more restricted in the US.
Abortion Information Specific links
Abortion Information News
Letters: Doctors disobeying abortion laws could backfire - USA TODAY
 USA TODAY | Letters: Doctors disobeying abortion laws could backfire USA TODAY They and their families could become targets for harassment and violence from anti-abortion activists. They also risk the privacy of their patients, who could easily be unwillingly pulled into the spotlight as a result of their physician's actions. Ivy League Profs Calls Docs to Civil Disobedience over Pro-Life Laws |
TN, with few restrictions, attracts out-of-state women seeking abortions - The Tennessean
TN, with few restrictions, attracts out-of-state women seeking abortions The Tennessean With fewer restrictions, Tennessee attracts women seeking abortions. But a vote could change it all. “A woman's right to terminate her pregnancy is a vital part of the right to privacy guaranteed by the Tennessee Constitution. As this right is inherent ... |
Public records on court petitions for abortions don't exist - The Tennessean
Public records on court petitions for abortions don't exist The Tennessean “We would absolutely like to know as much as possible how abortion is being practiced in our state,” said Harris, who had advocated earlier this year for a bill to require posting detailed information on abortion providers online. |
How common are repeat abortions? - Portadown Times
How common are repeat abortions? Portadown Times Despite the Daily Mail's headline, the report does not provide any data or information on women's reasons or motivations for seeking an abortion. The “abortion as contraception” claim appears to be an interpretation of the data provided by campaign ... |
Are Missouri lawmakers at war with women? - STLtoday.com
Are Missouri lawmakers at war with women? STLtoday.com "We hear the word 'choice' all the time and the 'war on women' all the time — but if we talk about the war on women we need to talk about information," she said. To her, the abortion debate isn't one against women because she believes that life begins ... |