Council of Europe report calls for total legalization of abortions

Published: 2008-03-20

LONDON (CNS) -- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called for an end to all restrictions on abortions in every country in Europe. It urged the predominantly Catholic countries of Andorra, Malta, Ireland and Poland -- where abortion is either illegal or severely restricted -- to grant women access to the controversial procedure. The demands were in a March 18 report by the council's Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. The report was approved March 11 by a large majority of the equal opportunities committee. Although the Council of Europe cannot pass laws, it does pass resolutions which may have significant influence on the laws of its 47 member states. It will be discussed during a plenary session April 14-18.

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