Russia Passes Pro-Life Law
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed into law, last Thursday, a requirement for abortion advertisers to inform women about the risks associated with the procedure, including the loss of fertility.
This will be the first pro-life law passed in Russia since it fell under communist rule.
“The new amendments require that warnings about the dangers should occupy no less than 10 percent of each advertisement,” said The Russian International News Agency Ria Novostri.
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The law, implemented by Medvedev, is a reaction to high abortion rates and an underpopulation crisis striking the nation.
“Free abortion is available at any licensed medical clinic in the country and at any term in the pregnancy, though late termination is only permitted on grounds of severe health risks to the mother or fetal abnormalities,” according to the Associated Press.
“The bill also stipulates that mothers who don’t want to keep their babies will be able to leave their newborn children anonymously in special adoption centers,” according to Ria Novostri.
Along with this new law other anti-abortion legislation is said to be in the works, according to Ria Novostri: “The Parliament may soon pass a new anti abortion bill that could limit Russians access to abortion services and toughen criminal punishment for doctors who carry out illegal abortions.”
The Russian President’s wife Svetlana Medvedev supports the pro-life cause according to the New York Times who says Svetlana has joined a group of increasingly vocal anti-abortion activists.
Her Foundation for Social and Cultural Initiatives launched a ‘Give Me Life’ campaign which advertises ‘a week against abortion’ in their internet ads and brochures, according to the New York Times.
The campaign is said to be supported by several local governments.
Russia’s population has dropped from 145 million to 143 million since 2002, due to the one million abortions performed annually in the nation.
