Legge 3 1707
The Legge 3/1706 is the third law of 1707 issued by the Zar Government, signed by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic, also called "Legge sull'Aborto" ("Abortion Law"). It entered into force on 12/1708 AN, following publication in the official gazette. It was proposed by the Partito Democratico Costituzionale and supported by Forza Vegno, and sees the approval of 44 deputies and 30 abstensions (by Partito Nazionalista Vegnese) of the Assemblea Nazionale.
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The following law allows women to have recourse to IVG (Interruzione Volontaria di Gravidanza - "Voluntary termination of pregnancy") no later than the 24th week, both in public facilities (hospitals or clinics) and in private facilities.
For those who choose to proceed in public facilities, abortion is free (except for the cost of the ticket for the analyzes and the drugs after the surgery). In both cases, no specific reasons must be requested to be provided in order to proceed with the intervention.
The art. 2 deals with the consultants and their function in relation to the matter of the law, indicating the duty they have towards the pregnant woman:
- inform you about the rights guaranteed to you by law and about the services you can use;
- inform her about the rights of pregnant women in labor matters;
- suggesting to local authorities solutions to maternity that create problems;
- help overcome the causes that can lead to termination of pregnancy.
IVG is permitted by law even after the first 24 weeks of pregnancy (Article 6):
- when pregnancy or childbirth seriously endangers a woman's life;
- when pathological processes are ascertained, including those relating to significant anomalies or malformations of the unborn child, which cause a serious danger to the physical or mental health of the woman.
Conscientious objection
The law gives the option for health professionals to claim the right to refuse to perform abortion. If the health personnel demands to be conscientious objector, they have to declare it in advance (Art.9). However, conscientious objection may not be invoked by health professionals if the personal intervention is essential in order to save the life of a woman in imminent danger.
This part of the law has brought much discontent among the female population, who have organized numerous demonstrations in favor of the law, but against this specific article. The possibility for the doctor to be an objector and to refuse an abortion guaranteed the freedom of choice of the doctor but not of the woman.
The debate had just begun and is still going on with different positions and with a precarious balance to maintain.
