Faroe Islands Legalizes Abortion Up to 12 Weeks, Overturning 1956 Law
The parliament of the Faroe Islands voted on Thursday to legalize abortion until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy. This decision overturns a 1956 law that had previously prohibited abortions in most circumstances. The vote was closely contested, with 17 Members of Parliament (MPs) voting in favor of the reform and 16 against.
The new legislation is scheduled to come into effect on July 1 of next year.
Previous Legislation and Changes
Under the previous 1956 legislation, abortions were permitted only under specific conditions. These included cases of rape, incest, risk to the pregnant woman's health, severe fetal health problems, or if the woman was deemed "unfit" to care for the child. The assessment of a woman's "unfitness" involved an initial review by a general practitioner, followed by a second medical body. Non-compliance with these conditions carried potential imprisonment for both the woman and the doctor involved.
The newly approved law will replace these previous restrictions, establishing access to safe and legal abortion until the 12th week of pregnancy.
Perspectives on the Reform
Supporters of the legislative change, including MP IngilĂn Didriksen Strømm, stated that the reform affirms women's autonomy over their bodies and guarantees access to healthcare. Campaign groups such as Fritt Val and Amnesty International's Faroe Islands branch described the change as a significant step for human rights and bodily autonomy. These groups noted that previously, women often traveled to Denmark for abortion procedures due to limited local access.
Conversely, opponents of the law change, such as MP Erhard Joensen, emphasized the protection of fetal rights. Joensen stated his respect for the outcome of the vote but expressed doubt regarding broad public support for the new law, suggesting potential future attempts to reverse it.
Context and Regional Comparison
The Faroe Islands, a self-governing Danish territory located between Scotland and Norway, has a population of approximately 56,000. Its society is often described as relatively conservative compared to other Nordic countries, with over three-quarters of the population affiliated with the Lutheran church.
Previous attempts to liberalize abortion laws in the Faroe Islands have been unsuccessful, including a similar bill in May last year that resulted in a tied vote and did not pass parliament.
In comparison, Denmark's law has permitted abortion up to 12 weeks since 1973, with an amendment in June of the current year extending terminations on request to 18 weeks. Globally, approximately 43 European countries allow abortion on request during early stages of pregnancy, while five European nations maintain highly restrictive laws.