Roundup: Spain's Decriminalized Abortion Law Goes Into Effect, Viagra Use Leads To More STIs?

Roundup: Spain’s Decriminalized Abortion Law Goes Into Effect, Viagra Use Leads To More STIs?

Jul 6, 2010, 10:02am

Robin Marty

Spain is entering a new era where abortion in the first 14 weeks is no longer a criminal offense, and it appears that men using sexual enhancement drugs aren't protecting themselves.

On Monday, Spain put into effect its new law, which changed abortion from an illegal procedure that could only be done in cases of maternal health to one where it is allowed for any reason for the first 14 weeks of a pregnancy. The New York Times reports:

A new law allowing abortion without restrictions in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy went into effect on Monday, but the Constitutional Court could intervene to suspend or change it. The law, approved by Parliament in February, allows abortions without parental permission for 16- and 17-year-olds, although the parents must be informed. It also declares a woman’s right to abortion and eliminates the threat of imprisonment. The conservative Popular Party is challenging the 14-week clause as unconstitutional, and the Constitutional Court must decide whether to suspend the law while it studies the appeal.

Supporters of the new regulations are unphased by the thought of a court challenge, and are eager to remove criminal penalties and bring Spain more line with its European neighbors. From The Associated Press:

The law, approved by Parliament in February, was the latest item on a liberal agenda undertaken by the Socialist government, which took power in 2004. The measure is seen as bringing this traditionally Roman Catholic country more in line with its secular neighbors in northern Europe.

Equality Minister Bibiana Aido told Cadena SER radio the government was unworried by an appeal by the conservative Popular Party to the Constitutional Court challenging the 14-week clause as unconstitutional.

“The government is fully convinced of the constitutionality of the law,” she said. …

“Above all it is a more secure law, providing legal protection for both women and health professionals,” said Aido. She said it reflected the needs of Spanish society better than the previous law.

Under the previous law, which dated to 1985, women could in theory go to jail for getting an abortion outside certain strict limits — up to week 12 in case of rape and week 22 if the fetus was malformed.

Of course, no change in abortion law ever exists without anti-choice protests, in this case even though the new law isn’t expected to make much of an overall impact on the number of abortions in the country, just whether they are “legal” or “illegal.” Via Christian Post:

Hundreds of people protested the new law on Saturday, shouting “no to abortion” and “yes to life.” Earlier in March, tens of thousands made the same plea at a major rally in Madrid and other cities.

…

The new law also removes the threat of imprisonment that was present in the previous law. Women who had an abortion outside the specified limits could have been sent to jail.

Last week, Spain’s highest court agreed to hear a challenge to the law from the Popular Party. The conservative party, which filed suit in June, argued that the legislation violates an article of the constitution which recognizes that “everyone has the right to life,” as reported by Agence France-Presse.

Abortion was decriminalized in 1985 and since then the number of abortions done has continued to increase. Last year, there were around 115,000 abortions carried out in Spain. The majority of abortions were done with women claiming “psychological risk.”

Mini Roundup: Remember that whole argument that it’s ok to cover Viagra and not birth control because Viagra doesn’t run up other insurance costs? Look who’s suddenly skyrocketing up the STI charts — sexual enhancements users. In the meantime, now contraception may become insurance freebies!

July 5, 2010

Spain’s High Court To Review Constitutionality Of New Abortion Law – Medical News Today

Abortion Expert In Hot Soup – Peace FM Online

What’s common ground on abortion? – CNN

Spain’s unrestricted abortion law takes effect – The Associated Press

Ouellet’s anti-abortion legacy – National Post

Abortion laws don’t reflect public opinion – Sydney Morning Herald

Majority of Australians support access to late abortion – International Business Times

Liberalized Abortion Law Takes Effect in Spain – Christian Post

Opinion: ‘Feminists’ and Abortion.Real Feminism Does Not Kill! – Catholic Online

Spain: Looser Restrictions on Abortion Take Effect – New York Times

Bristol Palin politicizes teen pregnancy in ABC’s The Secret Life of the … – Examiner.com