GR280
CONFIDENT I AL
FM ROME 101635Z DEC 80
TO ROUTINE HONG KONG
ник 25412
CONFIDENTIAL RECEIVED IN REGISTRY KO. ST
11 DEC 1980
REGISTRY Action Taken
DESK OFFICER
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CORT A
TELNO 20 OF 10 DECEMBER 1980
2
YOUR TELNO 13 OF 8 DECEMBER: ABORTION LAW
THE ITALIAN LAW REGULATING ABORTIONS IS NO.194 OF 22 MAY 1978
VOLUNTARY ABORTIONS ARE PERMITTED WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS OF
PREGNANCY IN CASES WHERE CONTINUATION OF THE PREGNANCY,
CHILDBIRTH OR MOTHERHOOD WOULD CARRY SERIOUS RISKS FOR THE PHYSICAL
OR MENTAL HEALTH OF THE EXPECTANT MOTHER IN RELATION TO THE STATE OF HER HEALTH, TO ECONOMIC, SOCIAL OR FAMILY CONDITIONS, OR TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH CONCEPTION OCCURRED, OR TO FORESEEN DEFORM- ITIES OR ABNORMALITIES IN THE UNBORN CHILD. REQUESTS MUST BE MADE THROUGH PUBLIC FAMILY ADVICE CENTRES OR AUTHORISED SOCIAL/HEALTH ORGANISATIONS OR THROUGH FAMILY DOCTOR AND, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE REQUEST IS MOTIVATED BY ECONOMIC, SOCIAL OR FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALL EFFORTS MUST BE MADE TO OVERCOME THE CAUSES LEADING TO ABORTION
AND TO GIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE MOTHER.
VOLUNTARY ABORTION AFTER THE 90TH DAY OF PREGNANCY IS PERMITTED (A) WHEN THE PREGNANCY OR CHILDBIRTH INVOLVE A SERIOUS RISK FOR THE WOMAN'S LIFE AND (B) WHEN PATHOLOGICAL PROCESSES EXIST, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO NOTABLE ABNORMALITIES OR DEFORMITIES OF THE UNBORN CHILD, WHICH CARRY SERIOUS RISKS FOR THE PHYSICAL OR
MENTAL HEALTH OF THE MOTHER.
THE LAW STATES SPECIFICALLY THAT VOLUNTARY ABORTION IS NOT A MEANS
OF BIRTH CONTROL.
THE LAW WAS CONTROVERSIAL AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN STRENUOUSLY OPPO SED
BY THE CHURCH AND CATHOLIC ORGANISATIONS. AT PRESENT THREE PETITIONS
FOR REFERENDUMS TO REPEAL ALL OR PART OF THE LAW ARE BEING
EXAMINED BY THE ITALIAN APPEAL COURT AND CONSTITUTIONAL COURT:
THE PETITIONS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE RADICAL PARTY WHICH WANTS
COMPLETE FREEDOM FOR ABORTIONS AND BY CATHOLIC ORGANISATIONS WHICH OPPOSE ABORTION. IF THE REQUESTS ARE ADMITTED THE REFEREN-
DUM(S) MUST TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 15 APRIL AND 15 JUNE UNLESS THE
PRESENT LAW IS AMENDED OR PARLIAMENT IS DISSOLVED.
IN 1979 THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 188,90 RECORDED ABORTIONS.
ARCULUS
MINIMAL
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOV: OFFICE
LONDON.
HAGYD
LEGAL ADVISERS
CONFIDENTIAL