Cabinet approval sought to legalize abortions

20 January 2017 07:17 am - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Cabinet approval has been sought to legalize abortions in the instances of rape and incest, underage pregnancies (pregnancy occurring in a girl below 16) and serious foetal impairment, it is learnt.

For this purpose, the government is seeking to draft separate legislations as amendments to the Penal Code and to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act to provide for it.

The Justice Ministry has initiated action in this regard in pursuant to the recommendations on decriminalization of abortion by the Committee on GSP plus and another committee headed by Prof. Savitri Goonesekere. In a report submitted to the Cabinet seeking amendments to the existing laws, recommendations have been made in this respect.

The committee has identified that a similar attempt to decriminalize abortions in such cases in 1995 by introducing a bill. However it was withdrawn due to objections and protests. Currently, abortion or termination of pregnancies is criminalized in the Penal Code except in instances where the mental; and physical well-being of a woman concerned is affected.

The Cabinet report says that septic abortions remain a leading cause of maternal deaths. It says 90 per cent of abortions are performed on married women, and 8.9 percent on unmarried women.

Section 303 of the Penal Code says, “Whoever voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry shall, if such miscarriage be not caused in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the woman , be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine or with both, and if the woman be quick with child, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years , and also be liable to fine.”(Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 27

Liberal One Friday, 20 January 2017 11:59 AM

These are just reasons. But do we have to wait until EU or USA instructs us to do anything? I mean even an obvious thing like this?

Kiran Tuesday, 24 January 2017 04:03 PM

People need to understand that there is a HUGE difference between a child, a baby and a fetus. A baby only becomes one after it comes out of its mothers womb. For the first few weeks after conception the fetus is nothing but a mass of cells with no heartbeat or central nervous system. It cannot feel pain nor is it sentient. I find it ridiculous that people can't understand that. At the end of the day people go on and on about what a sin it is to abort. But once the baby is born no one cares what happens to him. No one wants to adopt or cares that children are being made to beg in the streets because their mothers can't afford to look after them or that nearly half will be sexually abused by the time they reach 13. No one was there to look after them. People are selfish, commenting on matters that will never effect them. And their narrow minded views will only lead to the further retardation of our beloved country.

Know it all Friday, 20 January 2017 04:40 PM

We are a poor country still because the majority are clueless like you about everything. All you have is your sense of entitlement.

APSS Friday, 20 January 2017 03:02 PM

What if that child's quality of life is irreparably impaired? Even if the child is sweet, what right does a person have to inflict that misery on a child? After all, the child is not a being which exists for another person's pleasure. After all, the world suffers because people are passive, and allow suffering to continue, simply because they are too concerned with keeping their heads above the water, than doing what is rational.

APSS Friday, 20 January 2017 02:58 PM

They say that it is the result which matters, and not the motive. I disagree, but in a case such as this, where it is fundamentally irrational and cruel to force a child to lead a life whose quality is irreparably damaged, I think, even if motivated by external forces such as GSP , human rights provisions such as this should be implemented. Furthermore, what is wrong with secularism? It is a basic principle which ensures fairness and equality before the law, and is free of religous irrationalities and biases. And simply because a country such as Pakistan has given way to such irrationalities, it doesn't mean SL should. Both abortion, and LGBT rights are rational, fundamental human rights.

mal Friday, 20 January 2017 02:45 PM

Cos there is a thick war between knowledgeable and majority being fools.

Skyscraperlk Friday, 20 January 2017 02:31 PM

Know your science....A bunch of cells is NOT a baby, no blood, no brains, no heart. Dislike as much as you want, but that's the truth!

Skyscraperlk Friday, 20 January 2017 02:28 PM

Oh really? You're afraid brothel houses will be legalized? Surely you will be the first one in the line! Your the type of unruly man who says that it's the woman's fault she got raped!

Shelly. Friday, 20 January 2017 02:01 PM

For holding powers giving clearence to terminate a life on death penelty is a question. But for same powers giving clearence to kill an unarmed baby is very simple. via DM Android App

Kp Friday, 20 January 2017 02:01 PM

'Clueless'? If we're the ''clueless" generation, what do we call these know-it-alls over the ages of 40 and 50 that dragged this country into a needless war, still won't allow a settlement and then accuse us of being ignorant? If you know so much, why are we still languishing in the third world with massive social issues? What makes you so 'knowledgeable'?

mal Friday, 20 January 2017 12:59 PM

Yes Exactly. Await criticism from a clueless generation.

Sincere Friday, 20 January 2017 12:19 PM

The body belongs to the woman, but the body growing inside her does not belong to her! She has no right to terminate it!

Sincere Friday, 20 January 2017 12:17 PM

How an murder be a good decision man? Abortion is murder of an unborn baby!

Jonson Friday, 20 January 2017 12:00 PM

Amendments on constitution for the sake of GSP plus. I afraid of the next proposal may be to legalise brothel house. via DM Android App

Sena Friday, 20 January 2017 07:54 AM

Good decision. Its better late than never. via DM Android App

upali Friday, 20 January 2017 11:57 AM

here comes GSP. via DM Android App

Skyscraperlk Friday, 20 January 2017 10:46 AM

When an abortion is carried out it's not a child it's only a bunch of cells. Doesn't have a brain nor a heart. Larger fetuses are not aborted as it affects the mother.

Asanka Friday, 20 January 2017 10:22 AM

I believe this has many positive think and good outweigh the bad.

deshan.048518 Friday, 20 January 2017 10:16 AM

If there is a child whose gonna born on somehow....why do you kill him??? Its child,.....Think about it...Its a sweet child...Government must look into ways of strengthening people on those cases rather than allowing abortions...

lothario Friday, 20 January 2017 10:08 AM

Abortions are not always sought by kids who accidentally get pregnant. What about rape?

raj Friday, 20 January 2017 09:49 AM

Why is that the baby has to be put to death and the rapist and child molestor get off free...what justice is this. .I say no to abortion and yes to the death penalty for rapists and child molestors

Clueless idiocy as usual Friday, 20 January 2017 09:43 AM

Don't jump to conclusions. Currently abortions are not possible even when the fetus is deformed or in the case of incest or rape.

ET Friday, 20 January 2017 09:28 AM

What about the rightsof the unborn child? Who takes care of that? We do not need GSP if EU is dictating rules. Or is ot secularist like Malik and Mangala who is promoting this in the guise of GSP ? Is abortion, same sex relationships leagalized in Pakistan who has GSP ? This is not relatrd to GSP . We voted for Yahapalanaya but not for these. We will bring in others and throwout Yahapalanaya if these actions follow.

Ajith Friday, 20 January 2017 09:20 AM

What about rape? Can you prevent the resulting pregnancy?

Thanos Friday, 20 January 2017 09:19 AM

Progressive step. I am no fan of abortion since it is terminating human life but ultimately it is the woman's choice. But if abortion is OK, why is homosexuality bad?

lkboy Friday, 20 January 2017 09:13 AM

what to do when in the name of 2500 year old culture, we have child pregnancies?

mal Friday, 20 January 2017 08:29 AM

In a world of advance technology and other methodologies which can be used for prevention, this is endorsing to commit 'Crime'.

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Cabinet approval sought to legalize abortions

Comments - 27

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