Abortion: a European Choice ?

Issued on: 20/10/2009 - 20:22Modified: 22/10/2009 - 16:59

Over a million people took to the streets of Madrid to protest about abortion. They were protesting because the Government of Prime Minister Zapatero wants to make abortion easier to obtain.

Advertising

Over a million people took to the streets of Madrid to protest about abortion. They were protesting because the Government of Prime Minister Zapatero wants to make abortion easier to obtain. After years of reforms to enable women to have the choice over keeping their babies, is there a change in European society? Or is it a strictly Catholic question?

Elsewhere in Europe the laws are different. Ireland basically bans abortion in all but extreme cases. The neighbouring country, the UK, has possibly the most liberal abortion laws in the world. Irish women still make the strip to the UK to get a service they are denied in their own country.

The European Union, 27 member states, all the world religions, beliefs and creeds; can it hope ever to have one single ruling on this emotive issue?

Or will the ultimate choice always be governed by a persons personal and religious stand point?

Debate hosted by Mark Owen, France 24

Guests: Ana Maria Gomes, Portuagese MEP

Patrick Buckley, anti abortion campaigner, Ireland.

Sarah Morris, correspondent France 24 Madrid.

Programme prepared by Bilal Tarabey and Perrine Desplats

watch the second part