Lithuania on its way to make abortions illegal 9-7-2013
The Seimas of Lithuania on Tuesday gave its initial backing to a proposed abortion ban bill after 46 MPs voted in favour, 19 were against and 25 abstained.
The bill was backed by 20 representatives of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, eight members of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania’s political group, eight representatives of the Labour Party and individual members of other political groups. Only members of the Liberal Movement political groups unanimously voted against the bill.
The bill will now go to the parliamentary Committees on Human Rights, Health Affairs and Legal Affairs for further considerations and will be sent back to the Seimas during the fall session.
Under the bill proposed by the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, an abortion would be possible only if it poses threat to the life or health of the woman or it was the result of criminal acts. In such cases, an abortion would be performed only by week 12.
Currently, abortions are allowed by week 12 in Lithuania, with no additional conditions. Around 10,000 abortions are performed in Lithuania every year.
Abortions are banned in Malta, Ireland and Poland. The remaining EU member states just have abortions deadline ranging from 10 to 18 weeks.
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/39499/seimas-voted-in-favour-of-the-abortion-ban-bill-201339499/