Raphael
January 17th 2008, 03:56 PM
Source: http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=125&art_id=nw20080117164651924C278153
The controversial Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly on Thursday by 266 votes to 52, with 12 abstentions.
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The so-called abortion bill seeks, among other things, to amend existing legislation to allow certain public and private clinics to perform abortions without first obtaining government approval.
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"[Among the bill's objects is to] allow all public and private facilities that have a 24-hour maternity service to terminate pregnancies of up to and including 12 weeks without seeking approval from the Member of the Executive Council concerned."
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Speaking during a declaration of vote, the ACDP's Cheryllyn Dudley said her party opposed the bill in the strongest possible terms. "We call on members of this House to do the same. Do not let the blood of more innocent babied be on your hands," she implored. Research showed nine out of 10 South Africans believed abortion was "morally wrong", Dudley said.
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Earlier on Thursday, pro-life groups had urged MPs to reject the measure, saying they should not pass the bill in its current form.
"A major point highlighted in all pro-life submissions included that women must receive adequate counselling in which all the risks (both physical and psychological) are explained in the counselling session prior to the abortion," Taryn Hodgson, spokeswoman of the Christian Action Network said in a statement.
The controversial Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly on Thursday by 266 votes to 52, with 12 abstentions.
....
The so-called abortion bill seeks, among other things, to amend existing legislation to allow certain public and private clinics to perform abortions without first obtaining government approval.
....
"[Among the bill's objects is to] allow all public and private facilities that have a 24-hour maternity service to terminate pregnancies of up to and including 12 weeks without seeking approval from the Member of the Executive Council concerned."
....
Speaking during a declaration of vote, the ACDP's Cheryllyn Dudley said her party opposed the bill in the strongest possible terms. "We call on members of this House to do the same. Do not let the blood of more innocent babied be on your hands," she implored. Research showed nine out of 10 South Africans believed abortion was "morally wrong", Dudley said.
....
Earlier on Thursday, pro-life groups had urged MPs to reject the measure, saying they should not pass the bill in its current form.
"A major point highlighted in all pro-life submissions included that women must receive adequate counselling in which all the risks (both physical and psychological) are explained in the counselling session prior to the abortion," Taryn Hodgson, spokeswoman of the Christian Action Network said in a statement.