A group of 35 experts in Belgium, consisting of representatives from all universities in the country, recently evaluated the country’s abortion laws. According to their report, the 1990 law decriminalizing abortion does not respond to the changes in society anymore, and they recommend revising the law to give women more autonomy. Specifically, they suggest extending the right to access abortion up to a minimum of 18 weeks following conception, compared to the current limit of 12 weeks. Gynecologist and former ULB rector Yvon Englert, co-president of the group of experts, notes that hundreds of women go abroad to receive abortions beyond the 12-week deadline because of economic and cultural inequalities, language proficiency, and travel limitations. All members of the working group unanimously support the proposed changes.
Despite the criticism that the proposed changes might harm the development of the fetus, Englert cites experiments conducted in other countries and extensive reviews of the scientific literature. He notes that the perception of pain only occurs beyond 22 to 26 weeks, and while the ethical conflict in this issue remains, he believes that the experience of countries like Great Britain and the Netherlands show that extending the abortion limit beyond 18 weeks is a safe and necessary evolution for society.
Does the 1990 law decriminalizing abortion still respond to changes in society? For the group of experts responsible for evaluating abortion – voluntary termination of pregnancy – in Belgium, the answer is no. This group of 35 experts is made up of representatives from all the universities in the country. Its report, which was submitted to the deputies, recommends reviewing the law in the direction of greater room for the autonomy of women. This notably involves extending the right to be able to resort to abortion up to a minimum of 18 weeks following conception, compared to 12 weeks currently.
“This is one of the necessary changes in a society that takes charge of its health problems at home.“, estimates Yvon Englert, gynecologist, former rector of the ULB and co-president of this group of experts who recalls that today hundreds of women go abroad to carry out abortions at home. beyond the 12 week deadline, mainly in the Netherlands.”There is obviously a very strong social inequality depending on economic and cultural means, language proficiency and the possibility of travel.“, points the doctor who specifies that it is a “unanimous recommendation of all members of the working group.“
Faced with criticism concerning the failure to take into account the development of the fetus, Yvon Englert refers to the experiments that have already taken place abroad. “We have very extensively reviewed all the literature on the development of the fetus and on the perception of pain which – according to current scientific data – is beyond 22 to 26 weeks. Of course the fundamental ethical conflict remains. But I believe that the experience we see from abroad, whether it is Great Britain or the Netherlands, which for decades have had the possibility of access to abortion even beyond 18 weeks, shows that this is an evolution that does not endanger the ethical balance of our society.“
In conclusion, Belgium’s group of experts responsible for evaluating abortion has recommended reviewing the country’s abortion laws to provide greater autonomy for women. The group’s report suggests extending the right to access abortion up to 18 weeks following conception, as opposed to the current 12 weeks. According to the group’s co-president, Yvon Englert, these changes are necessary for a society that takes charge of its health problems at home. While there are some ethical conflicts, Englert suggests that experiences from other countries show that extending the time limit for abortion does not endanger the ethical balance of society. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers in Belgium will take heed of the expert group’s recommendations and bring the country’s abortion laws up to date.
