Council of Europe criticizes proposed abortion bill

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic expressed concern about the proposed changes to the law on abortion, which the Slovak Parliament moved to a second reading at the end of October. Submitted by the Slovak national Party, a junior member of the governing coalition, the draft requires women who want an abortion to undergo sonographic examination and to hear the heartbeat of the embryo or fetus. The proposal would also introduce a ban on advertising abortion. The changes will come into effect as of March next year if the amendment is approved. In a letter sent to Slovak MPs, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights warns the draft could restrict women's access to the exercise of their rights in the area of ​​sexual and reproductive health. It would also contravene the World Health Organisation's human rights standards as it prevents health professionals from providing public information about safe abortion services and unbiased and evidence-based information about women's sexual and reproductive health rights.