The Spanish government is taking steps to liberalize its abortion law. A group of lawyers, doctors and academics has been appointed to come up with recommendations on how to amend the law, allowing for more abortions.
Spain's current law allows for abortion up to 12 weeks for sexual-assault victims, up to 22 weeks if the preborn baby has an abnormality and at any stage if the mother's physical or mental health is at risk. Life advocates say the "mental health" exemption is grossly abused.
“It appears that Spain’s existing law contains a loophole for ‘mental health’ abortions," said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "Expanding this to allow more abortions is no benefit to mother or preborn child. Hopefully, pro-life forces in Spain will fight this move at all costs.”
The new law is expected to go into effect at the end of 2009.
