Sanctus – Secretary for Health Dr. George Merlinson today confirmed at the AGM of the Papal Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians that the Sanctarian Conservative Party Government would be reviewing Sanctaria’s abortion laws following some controversial practices made public during the week.
Making the announcement during his keynote address, Secretary Merlinson said that the “liberal abortion regime” was putting Sanctaria’s reputation, as a nation devoted to the safety and welfare of children, at risk. The current abortion laws, which provide for any woman of any age to get an abortion for any reason, were introduced in the late 90s during the Democratic Left Party’s time in government. Merlinson, who is a member of the lobby group Doctors Against Abortions, is one of the SCP’s leading pro-life speakers and promised during last years general election that if appointed to lead the Department of Health, he would review all current abortion laws.
Pro-Choice campaigners have reacted strongly to the Secretary’s comments with plans already being made to protest outside the Department of Health in Sanctus later this week in an effort to stop any changes being made to the country’s abortion laws. Sarah Robbins of the group Women’s Rights Now has said that any step that restricts the abortion law in any way would be “an attack on Sanctarian women and their fundamental right to bodily sovereignty”. It is believed that the Democratic Left Party will announce on Monday in the House of Deputies that it will do everything within its power to stop any changes being made to extant legislation; the DLP currently have a majority and are in control of the Senate, any change to any law needs to pass the Senate too.
This reality has been acknowledged by some pro-life groups, with many issuing muted responses to the Secretary’s announcement. The Christian Union Party, the third largest party in parliament, has said that while they welcome the Secretary’s confirmation a review will take place they “don’t believe that, given the current political climate, particularly in the Senate, any changes will be successful at this time”.
ROBYN GRAY, Health Correspondent
