Up to 5,000 euros fine - Fines for opponents of abortion to protect pregnant women
With a legislative change, the German federal government aims to protect pregnant women more effectively against abortion opponents. The Bundestag is expected to finalize the stricter rules at noon. This is an "important step to strengthen the rights of women," said Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) to the German Press Agency.
The German government plans to ban certain "unacceptable behaviors" with the amendment to the so-called Pregnancy Conflict Law, as stated in the draft. It will be forbidden to hinder people from accessing counseling or entering institutions where abortions are performed. These behaviors are also known as "sidewalk harassment." The German government considers these actions an increasing problem and intends to punish them with fines of up to 5,000 Euros in the future.
Sidewalk harassment will be an administrative offense
Starting now, it will reportedly be forbidden to intentionally make it difficult for a pregnant woman to enter and leave institutions by creating obstacles, forcing her to express her opinion, putting her under significant pressure, or confronting her with false factual statements or disturbing content. Infringements will be considered an administrative offense according to the draft.
Paus emphasized that harassment of pregnant women outside counseling centers, practices, and clinics is "unacceptable." These are women who are already in a difficult situation and are then further intimidated. That is "not acceptable."
The Union, however, views the plan critically. The Legal Affairs Committee Chairwoman Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker (CDU) told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland: "The traffic light has not been able to provide evidence that there are problems that cannot be regulated with general legal provisions in the balance between freedom of expression and protection against harassment." The religious political spokesperson for the Union faction, Thomas Rachel (CDU), told the "Rheinische Post" (Friday): "There are already legal possibilities to prevent blockades, insults, and coercion."
According to the draft, behaviors that are "perceptible" within a radius of 100 meters around the entrance areas of such institutions will be covered by the legislative change. This makes it clearer that "the woman is not responsible for protecting herself and clearing her way to counseling," explained Paus further. The German government aims to end the "picket lines for pregnant women." At the same time, a balance will be maintained with important fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, assured she.
- Women who seek abortion counseling or services in Germany will be better protected against harassment thanks to the amendment to the Pregnancy Conflict Law, which aims to ban certain unacceptable behaviors.
- The Bundestag is currently finalizing stricter rules to protect pregnant women from abortion opponents, with Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus stating that this is an important step to strengthen women's rights.
- Lisa Paus, the German Green Party's Family Minister, emphasized that harassment of pregnant women outside abortion counseling centers, practices, and clinics is unacceptable and further intimidates women already in a difficult situation.
- The German government intends to punish unacceptable behaviors, such as making it difficult for pregnant women to enter and leave institutions, forcing them to express their opinions, or subjecting them to intimidation or false information, with fines of up to 5,000 Euros.
- The Union, a German political party, has criticized the plan to ban sidestreet harassment, with Legal Affairs Committee Chairwoman Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker stating that there are already legal provisions to prevent harassment.
- The draft amendment will cover behaviors that are perceptible within a radius of 100 meters around the entrance areas of abortion counseling centers, practices, and clinics, ensuring that pregnant women are not responsible for protecting themselves and clearing their way to counseling.
- The German government aims to end the "picket lines for pregnant women" with the proposed legislation, while also maintaining a balance with important fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.
