Portuguese launches campaign in abortion referendum
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-17 10:48
ISBON - The Portuguese government on Monday began a campaign for a
yes vote in a referendum to allow women to have a voluntary abortion during the
first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates began the campaign during his closing
speech at the Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference, which was
organized by the Socialist deputies of the European Parliament.
"What is at stake here is that women who wish to abort should be free to do
so up to 10 weeks of pregnancy without being persecuted or prosecuted," Socrates
said, adding, "The Socialist Party does not impose its will. Every person should
be free and I support the yes campaign."
The law sought by the party would do away with clandestine abortions and make
Portugal one of Europe's most modern countries when it came to this issue, he
said.
Also at the conference, Correia de Campos, the country's health minister,
said the new law must win the broad support of Portuguese society - especially
women and health professionals - if it is to put an end to legal discrimination
and illegal abortions.
Three to five Portuguese women seek an illegal abortion
every day, according to data published by the Health Ministry, and around 2,000
cross into Spain for the procedure.
|
