Abortion in the Czech Republic

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The number of induced abortions in the Czech Republic between 1958 to 2005.

Abortion in the Czech Republic is legally allowed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, with medical indications up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, in case of grave problems with fetus at any time. Those performed for medical indications are covered by public health insurance, but, otherwise abortion is relatively affordable in the Czech Republic. In Czech, abortion is referred to as interupce or umělé přerušení těhotenství, often incorrectly potrat.

[edit] History

In 1957 abortions were legalized in Czechoslovakia, although with restrictions that depended on the current policy of the government. In 1986 the restrictions were lifted resulting in growth the number of abortions. Since 1992, abortions for non-medical reasons have not paid for by the public health system. The absolute peak of the number of abortions was reached in 1990 at over 100,000 per year, but has declined steadily down since then, reaching less than 1/3 of the peak level in 2004. Reasons for this decrease have included the wider availability of contraceptions and better sex education.

[edit] Public opinion

The public in the Czech Republic generally supports legality of abortions. This attitude has been helped by the steady decrease in the number of abortions. Abortions have not become an important topic of political life, though the question is raised occasionally. The few politicians supporting a ban on abortions are usually labeled as religious bigots have not elicited a major response.

[edit] See also

• Abortion
• Abortion by country
• Abortion law
• Abortion debate
• Religion and abortion

[edit] External links

(all texts in Czech language)

• Legal details
• Abortion statistics
• Text of current abortion law (PDF)