• Members of the European Parliament endorse so-called “right to abortion” for “all persons who can be pregnant”; non-binding resolution has no impact on international law, which protects the right to life
• Resolution which also criticises right of doctors to conscientious objection passes with support of 336 out of a total of 705 parliamentarians; 163 vote against, with 39 abstentions

BRUSSELS (11th April 2024) – The following statement may be attributed to Adina Portaru, Senior Counsel, Europe, for ADF International in Brussels:

“Every government should protect the most vulnerable in their countries – including babies in the womb. Women deserve far better than abortion. A Europe that is truly committed to human rights is one that respects and protects both lives in a pregnancy – supporting both mother and child.”

“A Europe that is truly committed to human rights is one that respects and protects both lives in a pregnancy –supporting both mother and child.”- Adina Portaru, Senior Counsel, Europe, for ADF International in Brussels

“336 of the total 705 Members of the European Parliament voted on a contested, non-binding resolution concerning abortion today, but international law remains clear and consistent – everybody has the right to life, no matter their age, sex, ability, background, or stage of development. The resolution goes as far as to denounce medical doctors in Italy, Slovakia and Romania who object to performing abortions – in clear violation of their right to freedom of conscience, and in deliberate ignorance of their researched medical judgement. The European Union is not called to change abortion policies internationally, nor inside member states, and in reality, a non-binding resolution like this has no power to amend the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights.

Poland, where mothers and babies are widely protected in law, has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world. Malta, similarly, has seen zero maternal deaths from any cause in the last ten years. Hungary has implemented wide-ranging policies to better support and empower parents to raise their children. Instead of promoting a procedure which ends the lives of children and can cause harm to women, Europe should empower mothers, protect babies, and support families to thrive.”

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Pictured: Adina Portaru