France enshrines the right to abortion in the Constitution
The French Parliament. Photo: Figaro
On March 4, 2024, members of both chambers of the French Parliament voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution, France Info reports. The decision was supported by 92% of parliamentarians – 780 out of 924.
Article 34 of the Constitution now includes the phrase: "The law defines the conditions under which a woman is guaranteed the freedom to undergo voluntary termination of pregnancy."
The ceremony to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution will take place on March 8, International Women's Day, at Place Vendôme.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated during the preliminary debates: "We are haunted by the pain and memory of many women who have suffered for decades because they could not be free... We owe all these women."
The head of the World Health Organization positively welcomed the decision of the French Parliament. "We welcome France's decision to guarantee women's rights and save their lives," wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that "safe abortion is part of healthcare."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the French Senate voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution.
Read also
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.