Christian and Muslim leaders in Sierra Leone have called on
the public to join them on a march to parliament today to demand the withdrawal
of a controversial draft law on abortion.
the public to join them on a march to parliament today to demand the withdrawal
of a controversial draft law on abortion.
The proposed legislation allows for pregnancy of up to 12
weeks to be terminated without reason. This is the most controversial aspect of the bill, with
religious leaders saying it is “tantamount to murder”.
weeks to be terminated without reason. This is the most controversial aspect of the bill, with
religious leaders saying it is “tantamount to murder”.
Supporters of the bill says it will help end back-street
abortions, which often cause the death of women.
abortions, which often cause the death of women.
The draft law also says that pregnancy from 13-24 weeks can
be ended only if there is a threat to the life of the mother, a fetal
abnormality is detected, or if the pregnancy is as a result of rape or incest.
be ended only if there is a threat to the life of the mother, a fetal
abnormality is detected, or if the pregnancy is as a result of rape or incest.
Parliament passed the bill unanimously in December but the
president refused to sign it into law after religious leaders made
representations to him.
president refused to sign it into law after religious leaders made
representations to him.
He has sent the bill back to parliament, and religious
leaders hope the march will increase pressure on MPs to kill it.
leaders hope the march will increase pressure on MPs to kill it.
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