Severe Restriction on Conscientious Objection

Country: Spain

Date of incident: September 28, 2010


Administration interprets freedom of conscience so narrowly that only those directly involved in the objected surgical act of abortion are allowed to invoke the right to "conscientious objection".

La "Junta", an administrative authority, launched an information campaign to warn medical doctors that they would no longer be able to invoke their right to conscientious objection against abortion with the establishment of a new law in July 2010.
This law states that only, "persons directly involved in the termination of pregnancy, meaning gynecologists and anesthetists who proceed to the surgical act," should be able to invoke this right.
Such a restrictive interpretation of the law may cause administrative employees, family doctors, and other persons indirectly involved in providing abortion to participate against their consciences.

Source: http://www.avortementivg.com/content/europe/ps-d-objection-de-conscience-pour-les-medecins-espagnols