Hitherto considered a crime punishable by 14 years' imprisonment, voluntary termination of pregnancy is now decriminalized in New Zealand.
"For over 40 years, abortion has been the only medical procedure considered a crime in New Zealand"Justice Minister Andrew Little said in a statement."But from now on, abortions will rightly be treated as a public health issue."
New Zealand's parliament has voted to decriminalize abortion, allowing women to decide on an abortion in the first 20 weeks of their pregnancy. This reform was adopted by 68 votes to 51.
Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, keeps her campaign promise.
Abortion has so far been permitted in New Zealand only to save the mother's life or to preserve her physical or mental health. It also required the approval of two doctors or consultants.
"You have to lie to a doctor to have access to medical care"summarized Terry Bellamak, president and spokesperson for the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (Alranz).
"The previous law required women wanting to have an abortion to overcome many obstacles, which delayed access to the procedure and was less safe"said Minister Little.
"Change has finally come and safe abortion is now legal in New Zealand", he concluded.
The United Nations (UN) has also denounced New Zealand's legislation on several occasions "convoluted ", making women "dependent on the benevolent interpretation of a rule which cancels their autonomy ".
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