New Law Takes Effect in Spain Allowing Unrestricted Abortions

New law takes effect in Spain allowing for unrestricted abortions, even allows 16 and 17 years old to have abortions without parental consent.

Spain has a new law that took effect Monday allowing abortion without restrictions in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. According to media reports, the law, which was approved by Parliament in February, was the latest item on a liberal agenda undertaken by the Socialist government. It is largely seen as bringing this staunch Roman Catholic country closer in line with the other secular countries in northern Europe. In my opinion as a pro-lifer, the government has no right to pass this law, essentially caving to the wishes of a minority in Spain. This is a prime example of the government doing what it can do, instead of what it should do.

What I find equally troubling is the fact the law allows 16 and 17 years olds to have abortions without their parents' permission, although the parents must be informed. Okay, so if something goes wrong, is that underage girl going to be taken care of by the government of Spain, or are the parents expected to play their role at that point? These governments are slowly usurping the rights of parents.

The Popular Party cited a 1985 ruling from the court that said a woman's rights could not automatically take precedence over those of an unborn child, and could do so only in cases of rape, fetal malformation or when the mother's health is in jeopardy. The Constitutional Court must also decide whether to suspend the law while it studies the appeal. The court said there was no timetable for either decision. Source

This sets a dangerous precedent and it seems that some countries in Europe are lax and human reason does not enter their minds. The government should not enact law to deal with abortion. There is no reason why a young girl is given the right to make such a decision, with her parents powerless to intervene. Considering that Spain is staunchly Roman Catholic, the Vatican must be reeling from this decision.