Andorran Government to fast-track abortion decriminalisation for women

The Government will use an urgent procedure to amend Article 117 of the Penal Code and decriminalise abortion for women.

Ladislau Baró, Minister for Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, said the bill would be presented to the General Council on Thursday to shorten the parliamentary timetable.

The proposal would exempt women from criminal penalties but keep penalties in place for healthcare professionals who perform abortions. Fast-tracking the bill would speed up the process, but final approval will depend on the General Council.

Government says reform is compatible with the Constitution and the co-principality

Baró said the Government aims to decriminalise abortion for women while preserving the co-principality. He said the Executive supports the protection of life but believes it should not lead to the criminalisation of women who decide to have an abortion.

The minister said keeping criminal penalties for healthcare professionals was a constitutional requirement. He argued that the Constitution protects life at every stage and that one of the Government’s guiding principles is that abortions should not be performed in Andorra.

Baró said the proposed approach would not put the Principality’s institutional system at risk and would also protect women’s dignity. He added that it remains to be seen whether the Constitutional Court will rule on any part of the bill or whether the Co-Princes, particularly the Episcopal Co-Prince, will raise any concerns.

Bill follows years of work and dialogue

The minister said the proposal had been developed over several years through dialogue and discreet discussions, taking into account the sensitivity of the issue and the requests of the Holy See. During that process, the Government considered different legal models before settling on the current proposal.

Baró said the Government was satisfied with the bill and noted that decriminalising abortion for women was one of the commitments in Demòcrates’ election programme.