According to the last published figures by the WHO (2004) 68,000 women die each year as consequence of clandestine abortion. 13% of the deaths of mothers are due to risky abortions.

Yet, abortion right is threatened up to today, even in Europe. It took more than 100 years of struggle to overcome the pain and humiliation of unintentional pregnancy and to achieve the right to self-determination and abortion in almost every European country. In Portugal they finally hard won it last year. But in Poland, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, and Andorra it is still not guaranteed. And actually in Lithuania, even in Italy and Spain, the most reactionary right wing movements and religious fundamentalists want precisely to abolish the abortion right. Yet, this is a fundamental right which is of concern to all women and men.

On March 8th 2008, the Party of the European Left reaffirms its belief in self-determination, the abortion right and a responsible parenthood. This is an important step towards a democratic and secular Europe.

We are watchful of the obstacles to the implementation of the rights to abortion, of the backlashes for women’s sexual and reproductive rights and of the dismantling of the public health system, of the offensive launched by the "moral order" in Europe and in the world, of the lack of information preventing a free access to contraception and abortion.

The European Left is defending the inalienable and fundamental women’s right to self-determination by mobilizing to end taboos and guilt. It supports regular information campaigns on contraception and abortion. Let’s join our efforts for free and costless abortion all over Europe.

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