Economic and Social Council Committee 3

FORUM: Economic and Social Council Committee 3

QUESTION OF: Bioethics concerning abortion after the
permitted time, particularly when medically
necessary
)
SUBMITTED BY: United Kingdom
CO-SUBMITTERS:

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE,

Deeply concerned by the high percentage of unsafe and illegal abortions after
the permitted time,

Emphasizing that illegal abortions can be highly dangerous and life-

threatening to the woman,

Bearing in mind that 45 per cent of all abortions performed globally are
unsafe,

Recalling the Abortion Act 1997 and Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2)
Regulations 2020,

Observing a rise of legal abortions in Great Britain and Northern Ireland since
then,

Fully aware that a lack of access to legal and safe abortion services in an area
can result in women performing abortions illegally and in unsafe conditions
after the permitted time,

Further noting that termination of the woman’s pregnancy after the permitted
time strictly may only take place for serious medical reasons in the UK,

Acknowledging that access to sexuality education, with emphasis on the

dangers of illegal abortions, for everyone is crucial in decreasing the number of
abortions following unwanted pregnancies,

1. Encourages Member States to:

a) educate their citizens on the health risks illegal abortions after the
permitted time pose,
b) advise their citizens to either have abortions as early as possible after
conception or refrain from it,

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2. Calls for a mandatory implementation of sexuality education, including
abortion, across every member state’s respective school system,

3. Supports women by enabling access to safe and legal procedures free of

shame and stigma,

4. Expresses its hope to implement a protocol to reduce illegal and unsafe

abortions after the permitted time and prevent them from happening by:
a) training and supporting health professionals to provide safe abortion
services within the full scope of the law,
b) establishing multiple legal abortion centres around the country,
ensuring access for all women in need,

5. Notes that a ban on abortion after the permitted time for any serious
medical reasons represents a violation of women’s rights on bodily
autonomy,

6. Reminds all member states that bodily autonomy is protected at the core of
the International Declaration of Human Rights and therefore to be upheld
by each member state,

7. Designates registered medical practitioners of good faith, which are ensured

to be unbiased due to frequent re-evaluation, to:
a) Ensure a fair decision regarding whether an abortion should be
medically necessary after the permitted time,
b) Guarantee the safety and success of the procedure being performed
after the time limit,

8. Expresses its appreciation for joint efforts by member states that ensure the
protection of women’s rights across the globe.

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