ATTEMPT TO ABORT ABORTION LAW

Spain’s new abortion law is now in operation – probably the most liberal legislation of its type in Europe - including the provision allowing 16 year olds to have a termination without reference to their parents if they believe there would be conflict.

However the problem for the socialist government in Madrid is that many of the regions of the country are ruled by the opposition centre-right Partido Popular. The PP has been closely aligned with the Catholic Church in its fierce opposition to the new legislation. Whilst it will not flout the law of the land it has made it clear that the clause allowing medical staff to refuse to carry out abortions on conscientious grounds will be backed to the hilt so in effect stopping terminations.

Nowhere is this policy being followed more strongly than in the region that governs the nation’s capital, Madrid. Its minister of health, Javier Fernández-Lasquetty, stated on Tuesday that the majority of the medical professionals would not be willing to carry out abortions except in exceptional circumstances, for example where the mother’s life was at risk.

Speaking on the region’s TV station, Telemadrid, Lasquetty assured viewers that the Comunidad de Madrid would respect the new abortion law – “the law with which we must comply” – but would preserve “at all times” the right of the professionals, particularly doctors and nurses, who refuse to carry out abortions because it goes against their conscience.

The minister stressed there was no change to the situation which had existed since 1985 when Spain had introduced its first abortion law. “The Comunidad de Madrid, in its public hospitals, will not oblige anybody to carry out an abortion and the reality is that the majority of the professionals, will not carry out these operations except in exceptional circumstances and their right to do so is absolutely guaranteed by the regional government.”

This same stance is being followed by all the regions governed by the PP which means that the majority of abortions will have to be carried out by private clinics.

Lasquetty said it was a “sad day” when the new law came in to effect. He added it had not been an electoral promise of the Zapatero PSOE government – on the contrary – the Spanish premier had undertaken during the election campaign not to reform the abortion law. “The law has no electoral support”.

The minister insisted there were no type of plot or boycott on the part of the regional governments governed by the Partido Popular. He stated: “The PP has presented an appeal on the unconstitutionality of the law to the Constitutional Court and, God willing, it will be resolved before long, but we are in a State of law, under the command of the law and the law must be obeyed.”

Now long term readers of my blog will know that as a matter of conscience I do not support abortion except in the most extreme circumstances. I do not believe abortion should be used as a belated form of contraception and I believe the unborn child has the right to be protected – by us.

But, and yes there is often a but in my columns, I do not believe that the Partido Popular should take a stance on this issue. It is ridiculous to suppose that all members of the PP are against it – many will support abortion. Equally many of us on the left deplore the PSOE legislation but certainly the PP does not speak for me.

Also, like it or not, the legislation is now law. Whilst it is right that those medical staff who do not wish to carry out abortions on ethical grounds should be protected from doing so - it is wrong that the PP should manipulate their objections to further their own political goals. The law is the law.

I would argue for abortion to be taken out of the political arena and either the members of parliament should be allowed to vote freely or it should be put to a referendum. It is too important an issue to play party politics with.

EGOS AND THE EGG

Spain’s controversial new abortion law has passed through both Congress and the Senate and will shortly become law. However that has not prevented those who bitterly oppose the legislation from taking to the streets in all the major towns and cities in Spain on Sunday.

The law will bring Spain in to line with the majority of other EU nations. It also proposes that girls aged 16 can have an abortion without telling their parents. This clause still stands but has been amended saying they should inform their parents but if passing on the information would leave them open to violence or difficult situations then they do not have to do so.

The Partido Popular has chosen to make the new law a campaigning issue and says that if returned to office it would overturn it. It had also pledged to ask the Constitutional Court to reject the legislation. Many of its leading figures took part in the street marches turning demonstrations of conscience in to political parades.

The main opposition to the law has been headed by Catholic lay organisations under the Derecho a Vivir banner which is part of Hazteoir.org. It is now involved in a dispute with its one time partner Foro Español that boycotted Sunday’s demonstrations. They say there is no different between them on core beliefs – so I guess it is a clash of egos making the embryo a curate’s egg.

I have made my belief plain here in the past. I can accept contraception but I cannot condone abortion as a belated form of conception. I believe the unborn child demands our protection except in exceptional circumstances. However I object to a political party high jacking the issue for their electoral gain – especially as the Partido Popular introduced the current abortion law. I also object to the PP wearing the purple of the Catholic Church's hierarchy - we have been here before under Franco.

I would argue that a person’s view on abortion is a personal, core issue hence whilst my beliefs will not be shaken I accept those who sincerely hold opposing views will not be moved either. Any political party is a wide church so its members will hold a variety of beliefs be it right, left or centre - matters of conscience should not be manipulated for political gain.

A MILLION SAY NO

On Saturday around a million people gathered in the plaza de Independencia in Madrid to protest against the Spanish government’s new abortion law.

I say a million because one of the organisers, HazteOir, claimed 1.5 million, the Madrid authority 1.2 million whilst the police estimated 250,000 – however the consensus seems to be around the million mark and not surprisingly the protest made headlines around the world.

The new law would allow girls of 16 to have an abortion without their parents’ consent or even knowing about it. For many who support abortion this is a step too far.

Other provisions of the proposed abortion law, approved by the cabinet last month, would allow the procedure on demand for women of 16 and over up to the 14th week of pregnancy, and up to 22 weeks if there was a risk to the mother's health or if the foetus was deformed. Women could also undergo the procedure after 22 weeks if the foetus had a serious or incurable illness.

In my past blogs I have made my beliefs very clear. I do not support abortion except where the woman’s life or health is endangered or in cases of incest or rape. I do not believe abortion should be used as a belated form of contraception. I believe the unborn foetus has rights even if it doesn’t have a vote – and it is our duty to defend those rights.

I also accept and respect the fact that others have very different beliefs than my own although Spain seems to be very much divided on the subject.

An opinion poll published in ABC newspaper ahead of the protest said 42 percent of Spaniards believed there was no overwhelming popular support for the abortion reforms, compared to 38 percent who believed there was. Earlier polls had shown many 56 per cent of socialists who support the PSOE government were very unhappy over allowing 16 year olds to be able to have an abortion without their parents’ knowledge or consent against 64 per cent opposition across the board.

I am happy enough that HazteOir and other associations including those with Catholic links staged this demonstration and are running on-going campaigns. Of course for most Catholics abortion is a red-line issue but I would prefer to see the laity taking the lead rather than pronouncements from the Bishop’s palace.

However what makes me uneasy is that the opposition Partido Popular has taken up the issue. I suspect it sees it as another stick to beat the government with. As there are socialists who are for and against the new law so too the members of the PP must be divided amongst themselves.

This should not be a political issue but a moral one hence when it comes to a vote in the Spanish Parliament the MPs should act in line with their conscience and not according to the orders of PSOE’s Zapatero or PP’s Rajoy.

SHOULD THIS LAW BE ABORTED?

There was dismay amongst the many opponents of Spain’s new abortion law as it was approved by the government last Saturday. It will now go to parliament for final approval. What has angered many people is the provision that those aged 16 will be able to have an abortion without their parents consenting.

The controversial measure has been strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church, the Partido Popular and even members of Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s own PSOE.

Abortions will be allowed for women of 16 and over on demand up to the 14th week of pregnancy and up to 22 weeks if there is a risk to the mother's health or if the foetus is deformed. Women can also undergo the procedure after 22 weeks if the foetus has a serious or incurable illness.

The current law was introduced in 1985. It only allows abortion in cases of rape, foetal malformation and when a pregnant woman’s mental or physical health is deemed to be at risk if the pregnancy goes to term.

However the fight is not yet over. The Partido Popular has promised it will challenge the reforms in Spain’s Constitutional Court. In addition a coalition of largely Catholic based groups will hold a demonstration against abortion in Madrid on October 17.

Not surprisingly an opinion poll in June showed 64 percent of people oppose allowing 16-year-olds to have abortions without parental consent. Among PSOE supporters, 56 percent said they opposed the move, according to the Metroscopia carried out for the socialist-leaning newspaper El País.

I have made my views on this issue known in my previous blogs. I accept contraception both to prevent pregnancy and to tackle Aids. However I can only accept abortion in cases of incest, rape or when a woman’s health is at risk. I do not believe abortion should be used as a belated form of contraception and I believe the unborn child has rights even if it doesn’t have a vote.

By chance the Conservative Baroness Knight of Collingtree was in Spain last week. She is better known as the one time outspoken MP Jill Knight who has strong views on many subjects including abortion. On the proposed Spanish law she told me:

"Parents are still responsible for their children’s welfare at the age of 16.　　 They normally have to give consent for even such things as a tonsillectomy and would be found guilty in courts if they failed to look after them properly.　　 To ban them from even the knowledge of an abortion is, I believe, quite wrong.　　 That operation has serious possible hazards and after-effects.　　 I do not agree that people who have any ‘abnormalities’ should be destroyed.　　 Will Spain go on to legalise the putting to death of any person who is not entirely normal?　　 That is certainly what the laws you cite would imply.　　 I would only agree with an abortion if the health of the mother were to be at risk."　

Well that’s two views but of course there are many others. I asked a number of readers of this blog, all women, all resident in Spain, what their take on the issue was. They told me:

"Those wicked "celibate" priests have no right at all to ever pronounce upon anything which pertains to women’s bodies, nay, anything to do with women at all. They know nothing; I was at a wedding recently and do you know what the priest said was the solution if there were problems in your marriage? He said the cure for problems in your marriage was another child. Still, we’ll soon be rid of them, infallible, forsooth. I hear that there was but one chap ordained in Ireland in the whole of last year. Much of course depends upon the 16 year old. It is a pity that every case cannot be argued on its "merits". But, unless you are very feeble in which case your parents should have kept better care of you, surely your body is your own business by the time you have been potty trained, ok, after puberty?"

"I cannot understand how a socialist government takes such a one sided view on life - supposedly socialism means equal opportunity for members of its society - they are saying a living human being, albeit inside the body of another and as yet unable to speak for itself, but sharing blood and nutrients even the emotions of its creator can be discarded without defence? I cannot help wondering whether this involves their stance against the Catholic Church but then I tell myself how churlish over such a serious debate -although there should be no room for debate. Surely a modern society/government should put in place the means by which this person is defended and left to live? In the case of an unwanted child ( what a terrible phrase- probably in some primitive societies that would be untranslatable) the mother should be helped and supported to at least give birth in the knowledge that emotionally and physically she will not suffer, assured that her child will be welcomed and cared for even if not by herself - or the father ; in many cases it is only fear and lack of support that forces women into the decision to abort with all the suffering and guilt that entails. That a society of the 21st century cannot or worse does not desire to create these circumstances is truly criminal. Suffer the little children? Of course they do."

"I feel that the difficult decision on abortion should be in the hands of the woman involved.　 Fortunately, I have never had to make that decision myself. I am not the ‘demonstrating kind of Christian woman’ so protesting in Madrid would not be my way of showing my feelings."

So that’s five views in all – all differing – some pro – some against – you certainly have your own thoughts on this emotive subject – if you want to add to the debate click on "comments" below. If your comments aren’t constructive save your breath!

AÍDO – AN ABORTION?

There comes a time in every politician’s career when he or she either rises to the occasion or falls. Bibiana Aído has failed that test.

Bibiana Aído is Spain’s minister of equality and is charged with introducing the new ‘Ley de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva y de Interrupción Voluntaria del Embarazo’. They key element of this law is the reduction of the time at which an abortion can be carried out and that women aged 16 can have an abortion without telling their parents.

What is important in such a debate is that the minister involved fully understands the facts and Aído clearly doesn’t. Indeed her ideas are an abortion as she clearly hasn’t mastered her brief.

Asked by a listener on the Cadena SER radio station whether a foetus of 13 weeks was not already a baby Aído replied: “Un ser vivo, claro, lo que no podemos hablar es de ser humano porque eso no tiene ninguna base científica”. In other words we can’t say the foetus is human because there is no scientific basis to say that.

As this statement caused immediate furore including calls for her resignation Aído quickly backed tracked issuing a statement: “No hay evidencia científica para decir que es un ser humano ni para no decirlo y me baso en el manifiesto que han elaborado los científicos.” In short science hasn’t decided whether a 13 week old foetus is human or not.

I am for contraception and the use of condoms to prevent AIDS.

I support abortion when the health or life of the mother is in danger. I can also agree to medical intervention in case of rape.

However I do not accept the use of abortion as a form of belated contraception or agree that the wishes of the would-be mother overrule the rights of the unborn child.

I also believe that Aído has missed the point. Once an egg has been fertilized the process of creating a human life has started. We all travelled that route and whilst scientists obviously disagree about when the egg develops sufficiently to become human there is no disagreement that we are interfering with a life or I should add - the right to life.

AÍDO - NO HA OÍDO

DERECHO A VIVIR (DAV), plataforma cívica, apolítica y aconfesional, ha convocado un acto de protesta contra el proyecto de ley del Aborto en Alcalá de los Gazules (Cádiz). El acto se ha convocado el próximo sábado 16 de Mayo, en el pueblo natal de Bibiana Aido, Ministra de Igualdad y principal impulsora de la nueva Ley del Aborto.

Este acto simbólico coincide con la llegada a Alcalá de uno de los autobuses de DAV que están recorriendo las Principales ciudades de España informando y concienciando a los ciudadanos. El objetivo es demostrarle a la ministra que muchos de sus paisanos no quieren ser cómplices en el atropello y barbarie que establecerá esta reforma legal de aprobarse.

El proyecto de ley pretende convertir el delito de aborto en derecho hasta los tres meses y medio con un plazo arbitrario y ajeno a la verdad científica, y que las niñas de 16 años puedan abortar a espaldas de sus padres, para que la industria abortista siga matando niños inocentes y lucrándose, con el drama de la mujer y lesionando su salud reproductiva y mental.

La previsión es que el acto de protesta se prolongue desde las 10:00 hasta las 18:00 del 16 de mayo, sábado, en el paseo La Playa de Alcalá. La presentación del Acto será a las 12:30 estando confirmada la presencia de IGNACIO ARSUAGA, FUNDADOR Y PRESIDENTE DE HAZTEOIR.ORG. Siguiendo la tónica de nuestros actos, celebraremos una gran fiesta familiar, en la que los voluntarios de DAV estarán repartiendo folletos y trípticos con información en materia de defensa de la Vida, alternativas y soluciones al aborto.

Queremos invitar a toda la ciudadanía que quiera adherirse a pasar un magnifico y reivindicativo sábado en uno de los pueblos más típicos y hospitalarios de la Provincia de Cádiz.

The Spanish minister for equality, Bibiana Aído, was born in the village of Alcalá de los Gazules. She is now charged with introducing the government’s new and controversial abortion law but it appears many of her fellow villagers are opposing the move.

This Saturday, May 16, campaigners against the abortion law will be holding a family protest in Alcalá from 10.00 to 18.00 and at 12.30 the president of Hazteoir.Org – Ignacio Arsuaga - will speak. Not only will local people be taking part but campaigners against the law from throughout the province. Indeed it is ironic that Cádiz province has more groups against the legislation than anywhere else in Spain outside of Madrid.

Up till now Bibiana Aído has shown no signs of listening. Hence it is aimed to bring home to Aído that many of her fellow Gaditanos do not support the proposed law. A bus will be stationed in Alcalá on the day of the protest and will make a tour of major towns in the province ahead of the event.

If you do not support the new law – or want to learn more visit: http://www.hazteoir.org/