The Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association is discussing the revision of Section 218 of the German Criminal Code in a two-part series of events. We cordially invite you to the second evening event
According to a commission set up by the coalition government, it is not only the 96,000 or so early abortions performed each year that must be legal. The experts also emphasize (even if, in relation to this, there are only around 4,000 legal late abortions) that the necessary medical indication in Germany urgently needs to be reformed. According to the current regulation of § 218a StGB, this is formally limited after the 12th week of pregnancy to a serious or even life-threatening threat to the woman’s health, but in practice the embryopathic indication, which was abolished in 1995, is still included, in that a prenatally diagnosed disability of the foetus is generally regarded as a “serious impairment of the mental health of the pregnant woman”. In contrast, the social, family or financial circumstances of the pregnant woman are not taken into account in the case of a late-term abortion. A corresponding extension of the indication is therefore urgently required, which would have to include not only social circumstances but also the developmental status of the fetus. We want to take a closer look at the legal and ethical inconsistencies and lack of transparency of the current regulations and propose ideas for new regulations.
New regulation § 218 StGB:
Late abortion
An event organized by the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association
January 29, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m.
In the House of HUMANISM, Potsdamer Straße 157, 10783 Berlin
17:30 Admission and reception
6:00 p.m. Welcome
Christiane Herrmann (Board of the Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands – Bundesverband)
18:05 Introduction to the evening
Dr. Christine Zunke (Federal Representative for Women* and Diversity of the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association)
18:10 Lecture
Kirsten Achtelik (social scientist, journalist)
6:35 p.m. Lecture
Marina Mohr and Judith Hennemann (Cara – advice center on pregnancy and prenatal diagnostics)
19:00 Panel discussion
Moderation: Dr. Christine Zunke
Participants:
– Prof. Dr. Rebecca Maskos (Disability Studies, Berlin)
– Silke Koppermann (Women’s Health Working Group)
– Gita Neumann (Federal Representative for Medical Ethics and Autonomy at the End of Life of the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association)
20:10 Discussion with the audience
20:30 Farewell and invitation to further discussions over drinks and snacks
21:00 End of the event
If you have not already done so, please send us your feedback on your participation to hvd@humanismus.de.
Press inquiries on the topic can be sent to us in advance: presse@humanismus.de.
A detailed brochure by the Humanist Association of Germany on the subject of abortion can be found here. The statement of the Humanist Association of Germany for the Commission can be read
The event “Late-term abortion” is a follow-up event to our public debate on “Women’s rights and fetal protection!” on November 13, 2024, which focused on the regulation of time limits outside of criminal law.
We look forward to seeing you and remain with kind regards
Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands – Bundesverband
