Abortion law in Belgium due for an update, say abortion centres

The abortion laws in Belgium are due for an update, according to abortion centres from across the country. The centres are calling for an urgent revision to the current laws which do not allow abortion beyond 12 weeks after conception. According to specialists, the abortion laws in Belgium date back 25 years, and certain aspects have since become obsolete. The abortion centres will therefore present a number of proposals to health minister Maggie De Block (Open VLD), reports deredactie.be.

Abortion is legally allowed in Belgium up to 12 weeks after conception, but the abortion centres would like to see this statutory period extended. According to Dr Anne Verougstraete of SJERP-Dilemma, the Free University of Brussels’ support centre for unplanned pregnancy, allowing abortions to be carried out later in pregnancy would be a good thing. “Belgium is shirking its responsibility to provide psychological and social support for these women at a time when they need it most,” Verougstraete told deredactie.be.

Women who choose to end their pregnancy after the statutory period of 12 weeks are currently sent to the Netherlands, where the operation is permitted up to 20 weeks after conception.