Title: Law of 3 April 1990 on the termination of pregnancy, as amended by Sections 348, 350, 351, and 352 of the Penal Code of 1967 and repealing Section 353 of the said Code.

POPLINE Document Number: 078707

Corporate Author(s):

Belgium

Source citation:

INTERNATIONAL DIGEST OF HEALTH LEGISLATION, 1990;41(3):447-8.

Abstract:

On April 3, 1990, Belgium changed its abortion law by amending four sections and repealing one section of its Penal Code of 1867. The law provides that any person who induces an abortion may be fined and imprisoned unless 1) the termination occurs before the 12th week of pregnancy; 2) the termination is performed by a physician in a care establishment, and the pregnant woman is given information and counseling about her legal benefits and rights and alternatives to abortion; 3) the woman is informed of the risks associated with abortion; and 4) the physician is convinced that the woman is determined to end the pregnancy. The earliest time in which the procedure can be performed is six days after the first of the legally prescribed consultations. The woman's informed consent must be given in writing. If a pregnancy has progressed beyond 12 weeks, an abortion can only be performed if the pregnancy jeopardizes the health of the woman or if the child would be afflicted with an incurable pathological condition. The opinion of a second physician is required in such cases. After an abortion, a qualified staff member of the care establishment must provide the woman with information on contraception. No one is obliged to assist in an abortion, but a physician must inform a pregnant woman of his unwillingness to perform the abortion during her first visit.

Keywords:

Belgium
Laws and Statutes
Abortion
Abortion Law
Informed Consent
Time Factors
Developed Countries
Europe, Western
Europe
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population