Prague: Parliament puts 'Czech' on cheap abortions for foreigners

Czech Republic scraps proposed legislation that would have required providing abortions to citizens of other EU member states

ADF attorney sound bite (6/6/11):  Roger Kiska

PRAGUE — The Czech Parliament has decided against adopting legislation that would have required the Czech Republic to offer inexpensive abortions to citizens of foreign European Union member states. The Alliance Defense Fund submitted a legal opinion last month to the Czech Republic Ministry of Health, dispelling misconceptions that European law requires the country to offer such abortions.

“No government must offer abortions simply because pro-abortion advocates demand they be provided. Neither European nor international law requires the Czech Republic to offer abortions,” said ADF Legal Counsel Roger Kiska, who is based in Europe. “The Czech Parliament made the right decision to derail this bad and unpopular legislation.”

“Attempts to force this type of illegitimate cross-border recognition through legislation are nothing new to Americans, who have already seen similar attempts involving health care and marriage,” Kiska added. “Fortunately, this latest potential wildfire that was kindled by those who wanted to expand the reach of abortionists was doused in Europe before it could spread to American shores.”

Many of the arguments from the ADF legal opinion were used by allied pro-family groups within the country. The problematic legislation lacked public support and was dropped.

ADF stressed in its legal opinion submitted to the Czech Republic Ministry of Health that the European Parliament and the Council of Europe have themselves declared that they have no authority over member states with regard to abortion. Past resolutions by both bodies that recommended easy and legal access to abortion throughout Europe were entirely non-binding opinions.

The resolutions “are not binding on the Member States of the EU or the Council of Europe or any other European institutions,” the ADF legal opinion explained.  “Despite what some pressure groups may suggest, there is no such thing as a ‘right to abortion’ in international law or in European law…. Therefore, by restricting access to an abortion to certain people, a Member State should not be seen to be acting contrary to European law.”

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.