Those in favor of amending the law are calling for the following regulations:
- the extension of the obligation for doctors to provide advice and documentation following prenatal diagnostic findings and an obligation to provide information on psychosocial counseling options
- the introduction of a three-day reflection period before an abortion with medical indications
- the expansion of federal statistics
- the introduction of a fine for breaches of the duty to provide advice, information and documentation and non-compliance with the cooling-off period.
In the run-up to the “open letter”, “pro familia” had already repeatedly spoken out against a change in the regulation of abortion on medical grounds. Even at this stage, there was support from the associations that were now involved.
In the letter just published (see pdf attached) it says: “With this joint statement on abortion on medical indication at the request of a woman, the associations speak out in favor of qualified voluntary counseling and against a change in the law. … An amendment to the Pregnancy Conflict Act will not reduce the number of abortions on medical grounds. The undersigned associations emphatically point this out.”
The key point of those who want a change is expressed in the letter as follows: “Women must also be able to say ‘no’ to prenatal examinations. However, if they receive an ‘abnormal’ finding, they try to make a responsible decision for the whole family. They must be aware of a qualified psycho-social counseling service that offers support on a voluntary basis and is available unbureaucratically. In any case, they need understanding, empathy, comfort and information for their decision. What they do not need are doctors threatened with fines who are forced to advise them according to state regulations. They also do not need a legally binding waiting period. The only decisive factor for the waiting period must be the woman’s state of health.”
The associations also express massive data protection concerns about the review of medical documentation by a state authority as called for in the CDU-CSU parliamentary group’s motion.
Signatories of the “Open Letter” are:
AWO-Bundesverband
Federal Association of Municipal Women’s Offices and Equal Opportunities Offices
Family Planning Center Balance
GEW Federal Executive Board
Humanist Association of Germany, Federal Association
IG Metall, Executive Board
NAKOS – National Contact and Information Center for the Encouragement and Support of Self-Help Groups
pro familia – Federal Association
Association of Single Mothers and Fathers (VAMV), Federal Association
Ver.di, Federal Administration
Future Family Forum
