Portugal Voters Deciding on Abortion Law

[struggle4progress]

Sunday February 11, 2007 7:01 PM

AP Photo XPD104, XAF108, XAF105

By BARRY HATTON

Associated Press Writer

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Portugal is deciding in a national referendum Sunday whether to discard its strict abortion law, a battle that pits the Socialist government against conservative parties and the Catholic Church.

The center-left Socialist government wants to grant women the right to opt for abortion during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Portugal, where more than 90 percent of people say they are Catholic, has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the European Union. The procedure is allowed only in cases of rape, fetal malformation or if a mother's health is in danger, and only in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

In 23 other EU nations, abortion is permitted within much broader limits. Women can ask for abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy in Britain and up to the 12th week in Germany, France and Italy ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6409185,00.html