New Zealand’s Parliament has voted in favour of abortion decriminalisation, enforcing some of the most extreme abortion laws the world has ever seen. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: "At a time when the world battles together to save and preserve human life, New Zealand has voted to permit the widespread killing of innocent humans through abortion decriminalisation."
The Abortion Legislation Bill passed its third reading in Parliament by 68 votes to 51. The new abortion law will include:
- Abortion up to birth for any reason
- Sex-selective abortion
- No legal requirement that babies born alive are given medical support
- No legal requirement for pain relief to be given to babies during late term abortions
- No requirement for a doctor to be involved, but instead any qualified healthcare professional can perform an abortion
Over 55,000 people signed a petition urging New Zealand Deputy-Prime Minister, Winston Peters, to withdraw the bill.
Mr Robinson said: "It is utterly deplorable how during a time when the world has united to save human lives, New Zealand deemed it appropriate to pass a law permitting the slaughter of innocent humans.
"The devasting abortion law in New Zealand must stand as a sombre warning as to what could happen in the United Kingdom if we do not maintain the fight against decriminalisation."
Abortion decriminalisation in the United Kingdom
New Zealand’s move to decriminalise abortion has been welcomed by many pro-abortion bodies in the United Kingdom including Humanists UK, Abortion Support Network, Sister Supporter and Alliance for Choice.
Abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland in October 2019, with the abortion regime expected to be enforced by March 31st 2020.
If this regime is enforced, other regions of the United Kingdom could soon also be threatened with abortion decriminalisation.
Decriminalisation would take abortion outside the law, effectively removing all legal protection for unborn children and their mothers. It could also make abortion available for any reason during any stage of pregnancy.
If you would like to join SPUC in opposing abortion decriminalisation, information regarding SPUCs We Care About Women campaign can be found here.