Abortion and reproductive health rights

Article 19 of the Code states that life begins at conception. Article 20 presumes, unless there is evidence to the contrary, that the maximum duration of pregnancy is 300days and the minimum duration is 180 days, excluding the day of birth. Article 21 mandates that the rights and obligations of the person conceived or implanted in the woman are irrevocably acquired if the child is born alive. If the child is not born alive, the person is deemed to have never existed. The presumption is that a person is born alive.

1 BvR 1060/02 Plaintiff v. Ruling of Higher Regional Court Stuttgart 4 U 5/02 – German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht); decision dated May 24, 2006

It is not unconstitutional to consider the aspects summarized by case law under the term "denunciation effect" when balancing the interests of freedom of speech and the protection of personal rights. However, the courts must take into account that this is possible in different forms and intensities for various circumstances.

In this case, the three applicants were Irish residents, but had abortions in the United Kingdom because abortion was unlawful in Ireland. Two of the applicants sought abortions for health and/or wellbeing-related reasons, while the third applicant was unable to establish her eligibility for a lawful abortion in Ireland. The third applicant was in remission for cancer and, due to a lack of information on the impact of the pregnancy on her remission and the effect of her treatment on the pregnancy, sought the abortion because of the risks involved with the pregnancy.

A.F. sought an abortion for her 15-year-old daughter, A.G., whose stepfather raped and impregnated her.  The courts of first and second instance rejected A.F.’s petition because Argentina’s criminal code permits abortion in cases of sexual assault of a mentally impaired woman and A.G.

The Abortion Act broadly legalized abortion for up to 28 weeks gestation. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 lowered the gestation limit from 28 to 24 weeks for most cases.

The Abortion and Sterilization Act (the “Act”) was adopted from South Africa and prohibits abortions, except in extreme circumstances where either: (i) the mother’s life is in danger; (ii) not having an abortion would constitute a serious threat to the mother’s mental health; (iii) there is a serious risk that the child will be born with physical and/or mental defects; or (iv) the child is a product of rape or incest. It also criminalizes performing abortions, except in the circumstances listed above.

This Act overturned Division 12 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), which criminalised obtaining, performing, or otherwise assisting an abortion. Abortion is now legal in New South Wales until 22 weeks of pregnancy. To procure an abortion after 22 weeks, the procedure must be performed in a hospital by a specialist practitioner in consultation with a second practitioner. Medical providers who have conscientious objections to abortion must provide patients with information about where they can receive an abortion. 

The Abortion Law Reform Act allows a registered medical practitioner to terminate a pregnancy (perform an abortion) on a woman who is not more than 24 weeks pregnant. After 24 weeks, an abortion may still be performed if the medical practitioner believes it is appropriate in all the circumstances, and has consulted at least one other registered medical practitioner who reasonably agrees.  It also permits the supply or administration of drugs to perform and abortion by a pharmacist or registered nurse in similar situations.

The Abortion Act states that a woman may have an abortion up to 18 weeks of pregnancy. An abortion past 18 weeks may be performed if the National Board of Health and Welfare (“NBHF”) (Sw. Socialstyrelsen) approves it due to exceptional grounds. A decision by NBHF regarding an abortion cannot be appealed. NBHF also reviews any cases of denied abortions. Any medical practitioner that disregards the Abortion Act may be fined or imprisoned for a maximum of six months.

Air India, a state-owned company, required female flight attendants to retire under three circumstances: (1) upon reaching 35 years of age, (2) upon getting married, or (3) upon first pregnancy. The Court struck the rules down, holding that these requirements constituted official arbitrariness and hostile discrimination.