It was necessary to go through weeks of heated debate. In Australia, New South Wales became the last state on Thursday, September 26, to decriminalize abortion by abolishing a 119-year-old law.

Dating back to 1900, the text in question provided for up to ten years' imprisonment for abortion-seeking women, and for doctors practicing abortion (abortion).

Decriminalization had been in debate for several months before the state parliament, but its vote had been delayed by the activism of a small group of Conservative elected members of the ruling Liberal Party who had rebelled against the instructions of their party. officials.

Passionate events

Thursday's vote was applauded by people fighting for the possibility of choosing, "pro-choice", after a grueling debate punctuated by passionate protests with "pro-life", defending the right to life and fiercely opposed to abortion.

Alex Greenwich, a Sydney-born independent behind the bill, said he was "sorry that it took so long" to achieve decriminalization.

"I express my deep gratitude to my colleagues in Parliament and the dedicated women's rights activists who have fought for decades," said in a statement, who also co-chaired the Campaign for Women. Equality that allowed the adoption of the law on gay marriage in Australia, in 2017.

Up to 22 weeks of pregnancy

Since the legalization of abortion in northeastern Queensland in October 2018, New South Wales, the most populous state in the country, was the only territory where abortion remained illegal even though the law was rarely applied.

Several jurisprudence had reduced the scope of the text since the 1970s, considering in particular that abortion was possible with the advice of a doctor if the health of the mother was at stake.

The new law, passed Thursday, now allows abortion until 22 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond this time, it will take a favorable opinion of two doctors. However, this text punishes seven years of imprisonment for carrying out an abortion by an unauthorized person.

Last year, the state that had Sydney as its capital had already imposed a ban on demonstrations around clinics and hospitals performing abortions, to reduce the power of nuisance and harassment of associations opposed to abortion.

With AFP