The second week of our campaign has focused on abortion rights. We’ve jumped into information, tools and resources that help us to learn and grow our knowledge of (threats to) abortion rights and how this affects our community.

Access to safe abortion is a human right, but the rise and normalization of the extreme right has caused abortion rights across Europe to be under threat once again. It’s up to us to stay informed and to stand up for our rights. After all, the right to abortion is not up for discussion.

Did you know these facts about the Netherlands?

  • In the Netherlands abortion hasn’t actually been legalized. Under Dutch criminal law (article 296), any person/doctor who performs an abortion is to be punished with jail time. Abortions are made possibe by an exclusionary clause which stipulates that a permit holder (typically an abortion clinic) may perform an abortion. 
  • Under this law, Dutch general practitioners are currently unable to assist in the provision of medical abortions, as they are not legally allowed to prescribe the abortion pill. 
  • On February 25, 2021, Dutch Parliament voted in favor of the removal of the mandatory five day ‘reflection period’ imposed on people requesting access to an abortion. It is a first step towards abolition of this restrictive measure.

How about these facts about European countries?

  • 41 European countries allow abortion on request or broad social grounds. 6 European countries do not allow this.
  • 26 out of 28 EU member states allow abortion on request or broad social grounds. 2 EU member states do not allow this.
  • Andorra, Malta and San Marino do not allow abortion at all.
  • Poland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Gibraltar, Nothern Ireland  and the Faroe Islands have highly restrictive abortion laws.

There are far too many attempts in modern democracies to make abortion harder to access. They are a threat to bodily autonomy that is not to be taken lightly. 

Our human rights are not up for grabs. 

Our body, our choice.

This header image was drawn to refer to the recent protests in Poland after another recent restriction of abortion rights in the country.