The Abortion Law Reform Association, Family Planning and Women’s Health Action have formed a coalition calling for abortion to be decriminalised. Last week, for the first time, they marked the world International Day of Action for the Decriminalisation of Abortion on 28 September.
Jackie Edmond from Family Planning says many New Zealanders still do not know that abortion is a criminal offence.
She says New Zealand women make thoughtful choices about abortion and decriminalisation will not trivialise the issue.
Abortion is a crime in New Zealand and is found in the Crimes Act 1961, in the section for crimes against the person, section 182, Killing Unborn child-. The section states that on conviction for killing an unborn child one may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 14 years. The Crimes Act also provides for circumstances when an abortion may be permitted under section 187A.
An Otago University law dean, Mark Benaghan, says the unusual law is a way of compromising between supporters and opponents of abortion.
Source
- Voxy
- Radio New Zealand
- Image: Prolife NZ
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