Andorra Women's Association Criticises Abortion Reform for Maintaining Penalties Against Doctors

The Andorra Women's Association (ADA) has criticised the Government's proposed abortion law reform, arguing that the changes do not go far enough because medical professionals who perform abortions would still face criminal penalties.

The association has expressed its opposition to several aspects of the proposed amendment to Article 117 of Andorra's Criminal Code, which is currently undergoing parliamentary consideration.

On Friday, November 6, the organisation sent a letter to the leaders of the parliamentary groups in the Consell General, Andorra's parliament, urging them to introduce amendments that would strengthen women's rights and expand the scope of the reform.

Although the proposed legislation would remove criminal penalties for women who terminate a pregnancy, the ADA argues that it fails to recognise women's full autonomy over their reproductive decisions.

Women's Association Calls Abortion Reform 'Paternalistic'

The ADA acknowledges that eliminating criminal punishment for women who undergo abortions would represent progress.

However, the organisation strongly opposes the legal reasoning used to justify the reform.

In particular, the association rejects the idea that women should be exempt from criminal punishment because of their presumed vulnerability, describing this approach as "paternalistic".

According to the ADA, such reasoning fails to recognise women as individuals capable of making independent decisions about their bodies and their health.

The association argues that abortion legislation should be based on women's rights and personal autonomy, rather than on the assumption that they require special protection because of their circumstances.

It therefore wants the reference to vulnerability removed as a justification for avoiding criminal penalties.

ADA Demands Legal Protection for Doctors and Healthcare Professionals

One of the organisation's main concerns is that the proposed abortion reform maintains criminal sanctions against healthcare professionals who perform pregnancy terminations.

The association believes this approach leaves significant legal barriers in place and prevents the reform from providing comprehensive protection for women's reproductive rights.

Among its demands, the ADA is calling for legal protection for healthcare professionals and individuals who accompany women through the abortion process.

It also wants the restoration of abortion-related coverage through the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS), Andorra's social security system, together with the introduction of a public support and guidance protocol.

The association considers these changes essential to ensuring that women receive appropriate medical care and assistance.

Calls for Abortion Exceptions in Cases of Rape and Health Risks

The ADA has also urged lawmakers to introduce specific exceptions to criminal penalties for abortion in certain circumstances.

These include pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, situations involving risks to a woman's life or health, and cases in which a pregnancy is not viable.

The organisation argues that these exceptions would bring Andorra's legislation closer to recommendations issued by the United Nations.

Its proposals go substantially further than the Government's current draft, which focuses on removing criminal punishment for pregnant women while maintaining sanctions against medical professionals.

The association insists that reproductive healthcare should not be restricted by criminal provisions that prevent women from exercising their right to choose.

'We Want a Law That Recognises Us as People With Rights'

The president of the Andorra Women's Association, Elvira Geli , has described the Government's proposal as "a first step" but insists that the legislation should be more ambitious.

"We want a law that recognises us as people with rights and the ability to make decisions," Geli said.

She argues that abortion legislation should recognise women's autonomy rather than justify their exemption from prosecution through a presumed state of vulnerability.

The ADA has reaffirmed its commitment to campaigning for the complete decriminalisation of abortion in Andorra, alongside recognition of free and unrestricted access to voluntary pregnancy termination services.

The organisation maintains that the current parliamentary process represents an opportunity to introduce broader changes to Andorra's abortion legislation and strengthen the legal recognition of women's reproductive rights.