Medical Day demands radical reform of the abortion rules in Germany!

Medical Day demands radical reform of the abortion rules in Germany!

The German Medical Day spoke out on Thursday in Leipzig for comprehensive defusing the abortion rules in Germany. The decision provides for demolition of pregnancy not to be put under the penal code in the first twelve weeks. This decision aims to improve the care unintentionally pregnant and to strengthen legal certainty for doctors. Despite the approval, such a project is currently not on the agenda.

The paragraph 218 of the Criminal Code (StGB) stipulates that abortions are generally illegal, but there are exceptions, such as for medical reasons or after rape. In order to achieve a punishment -free termination within the first twelve weeks, advice is required, which is mainly due to state -recognized pregnancy conflict advice centers. Around 100,000 abortions are carried out annually in Germany, which underlines the relevance of a review of the regulations and heated up the discussion about better approaches to medical care.

obligation to advise and legal certainty

Despite the present suggestions, the obligation to consult remains for unwanted pregnant women. However, this regulation is not only a hurdle, but also provides the affected women important information about support options such as adoption or confidential birth. The advice centers offer free, open -ended advice and are the first contact points for women who are in a conflict situation. In addition, pregnant women who choose a child can receive state support through the "Mother and Child" Federal Foundation.

• Functional interruptions in accordance with Section 218a of the Criminal Code :
  • Consulting regulation: within 12 weeks of conception.
  • Medical indication: Demolition due to the danger of life or serious health impairment up to the 14th week.
  • criminological indication: according to sexual offense within 12 weeks.
• implementation of breakdowns :
  • drug demolition up to the 9th week.
  • operational demolition mostly outpatient.
• cost transfer :
  • health insurance companies cover costs for medical or criminological indications.
  • in the case of advisory regulation also dependent on social need.

The Commission on Productive Self -Determination, which was founded in 2023, should check the legalization of abortions outside the Criminal Code. The final report is expected for 2024, but a corresponding draft law failed as early as November 2024. Proponents of the reform emphasize that the existing regulations promote the criminalization of abortions and make it difficult to access qualified medical aid.

Overall, the current debate about the abortion rules illustrates the different perception and the challenges that women face in Germany. According to the Robert Koch Institute, fluctuations in the number of pregnancy abortions have been recorded in recent years, which underlines the need for political discussion and improvement in care.

In view of the fact that the legal framework and the socio -political measures have to interlock effectively, it remains to be seen how the discussions will develop in the coming months and whether steps are actually taken towards a reform.

For more information about the legal foundations and the implementation of abortions in Germany, you can BMFSFJ and