Most Portuguese doctors refuse to perform legal abortions
Lisbon
Jul. 18, 2007

(FIDES/CWNews.com) - More than 80% of Portugal's doctors will refuse to perform abortions, as a new law legalizing the practice comes into effect, the Fides news service reports.

Portugal's new law to depenalize abortion came into effect on 15 July. The law was approved in a February referendum, despite more than 50% public abstention. This revealed that the government's proposal does not have the support of the people.

The new law allows abortion until the 10th week of pregnancy at the mother's request. Although the law was approved by parliament, ratified by the president and published officially, heated discussion continues. Two appeals have been lodged at the Constitutional Court, by Portugal's Pro-Life Movement and by the Assembly of the autonomous region of Madeira which has refused to apply the law until the court passes judgment and the state assumes the costs of abortion. the rest