An online petition has been registered on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, proposing a ban on the termination of pregnancy solely at the woman’s request. The author of the initiative proposes retaining certain exceptions, increasing penalties for illegal abortions and establishing an additional system of housing, financial, psychological and legal support for pregnant women in difficult circumstances.
Briefly about the main points
- A petition calling for restrictions on abortion was registered on 10 August.
- Exceptions are provided for medical reasons, cases of violence and foetal abnormalities.
- Medical grounds must be confirmed by at least two doctors.
- The initiative includes proposals for housing, support and «baby hatches».
- For the government to consider the matter, 25,000 votes are required within 91 days.
What the petitioner is proposing
An online petition entitled «A child’s life cannot be taken away: ban elective abortions» was registered by Oleksandr Litovchenko. The collection of signatures began on 10 August, and the full text of the petition was published on the government’s online petition website.
The author proposes banning the artificial termination of pregnancy where it is carried out solely at the woman’s request, as well as increasing criminal and administrative liability for the illegal performance of abortions. Exceptions are proposed to be retained in cases where the pregnant woman’s life or health is at risk, where the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault, and where there are serious foetal abnormalities.
For procedures carried out on medical grounds, the organiser intends that the medical assessment must be confirmed by at least two doctors, and the medical records must undergo a separate review.
The initiative also provides for state support for pregnant women who lack family support, a steady income or a safe place to live. They are to be offered free temporary accommodation, financial assistance, and psychological and legal support. A separate provision concerns the legislative regulation of «baby hatches» — specially equipped facilities where a mother can anonymously and safely leave her newborn baby under the protection of the state without facing any legal consequences.
What are the current rules, and when will the government consider the petition?
According to The Civil Code of Ukraine, an induced termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks may be carried out at the woman’s request. Between 12 and 22 weeks, the procedure is permitted only in the cases specified by law, in medical facilities, where there are established medical or other lawful grounds.
The registration of a petition does not mean that the Cabinet of Ministers has endorsed its demands or begun preparing legislative amendments. In order to implement the initiative, amendments will be required to the Civil Code, healthcare legislation and other regulatory acts.
For a petition to be considered by the government, it must gather at least 25,000 signatures within 91 days. Even reaching this threshold does not automatically lead to a ban: the government must consider the petition and publish a response, whilst any change to the current rules would require a separate legislative procedure in the Verkhovna Rada.
