Pro tables bill to remove abortion from Dutch criminal code

Pro, an opposition party in the Netherlands, has introduced a bill to remove abortion from the criminal code and officially incorporate it into healthcare legislation. This move aims to remove the stigma associated with the procedure and simplify the process of updating regulations. Currently, abortion is technically a crime, although it is permitted under specific circumstances by healthcare professionals.

Proponents argue that having abortion in the criminal code only serves to stigmatize the practice and complicate rule updates. Abortion has been legal in the Netherlands since the 1980s, but the legal framework is unique, as performing an abortion is still considered a criminal offense under specific conditions. These conditions include being carried out by a doctor in a licensed clinic or hospital and adhering to certain restrictions, such as a time limit of 24 weeks and confirming the woman's distress.

Women themselves cannot be prosecuted for having abortions, but those administering them can be. If the bill passes, Pro hopes to further enshrine the right to abortion in the Dutch constitution, following France's lead in 2024. With the support of the VVD, D66, and smaller opposition parties, the bill could potentially secure a narrow majority.

However, the coalition partner, the CDA, remains opposed to the bill, and the VVD has yet to confirm its stance.