I heard in New Facts today a piece about the fact that in Ireland they are probably going to remove the abortion ban from the constitution. In response to that interviewed men Petra De Sutter, politician for Green, regarding Belgian abortion legislation. She clearly indicated that she believes that our legislation urgently needs to be relaxed. So time to send an email to Mrs. De Sutter:
Dear Mrs. De Sutter,
I just heard your interview in the program De Nieuwe Facts. I was happy to hear that you indicate that an ethical issue such as abortion deserves an in-depth social debate, in which all actors can have their say. You even mentioned religion, something that happens less and less often. I am grateful to you for that.
At the same time, I am surprised that you would want to make some profound reforms in abortion legislation without such a debate, such as no longer withholding it in the criminal law. The change from “it is not allowed unless” to “it is allowed except” may be a semantic change for some, but we must still be careful with the signal we send.
As a Mormon and Christian, I am deeply concerned with the sacredness of every life. Does that mean I rule out abortion completely? No, there are cases where it should be a possible option, such as to preserve the life of the mother or if the child is not viable. I also understand women who choose to have an abortion after rape, although I hope that those women also consider the option of giving the child up for adoption.
However, I do believe that abortion should never become something banal. I agree with you that the comparison with “pulling a tooth” is too far-reaching. I can't imagine that women in any situation would make light of ending a young life. As you said: abortion should never become an alternative method of contraception. Let us clarify this by ensuring through legislation that it can never fulfill that role. Because after hearing your plea, I am somehow afraid that choosing abortion will become too easy.
I hear you say that studies show that it makes almost no difference whether the cooling-off period is 48 hours, 72 hours or 6 days. But what is almost no difference? If in countries where the waiting time is longer, even 0.1% more women change their minds and decide not to have an abortion for every hour they have to wait longer, then it is more than worth it. Or to turn your argument around: if it's so little difference, why shorten it and not give life the benefit of the doubt?
The extension of the period from 12 to 16 weeks also frightens me. You said yourself that a curettage for up to 12 weeks is sufficient. This means that after those 12 weeks there can no longer be any doubt about the fact that this is the termination of the life of a living human being. This concerns a person who really needs to be born or will I be torn to pieces? If the discussion is about “when does life begin”, there is a lot of discussion and doubt possible between my position (life begins with the beating of the heart) and all other possible time frames, but surely not beyond 12 weeks?
May I therefore ask you to reconsider your support for a hasty change in legislation and first to push for a thorough debate in which those who stand up for the life of the unborn child can also have their say? I would be grateful to you for that.
Kind regards,
Answer from Dr De Sutter:
Dear sir
Thank you for your email, which expresses concern and wisdom.
Indeed, views will differ on exactly when life begins, depending on ethical and religious views, as I said on the radio. However, it is true that the social debate on the revision of the abortion law has been going on for two years. Almost all political parties, including the CDH in Wallonia, have introduced bills to decriminalize abortion. You can find and read them on the Chamber's website. Now the debate in the Justice Committee has also started, which has started the parliamentary debate. In this way, through political representation, all points of view are present in the debate. I am a senator myself and cannot participate directly in the debate, and it is also questionable whether the current majority would support a revision of the abortion law, but you can certainly contribute by writing letters (and emails, like this one) or contacting people.
Thank you again for your nuanced email, a relief in times of polarization and black-and-white positions.
Kind regards
Petra De Sutter
_________________________________
PROF. DR. PETRA DE SUTTER
Senator & MP Council of Europe
Head Dept. Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital Ghent
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