The US Supreme Court’s decision on Friday 24 June to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision will result in abortion soon being illegal or potentially illegal in 16 states. In Luxembourg, family planning NGO Planning Familial is organising a demonstration in front of the US embassy which will take place from 12:30 on 28 June. The organisation has received the approval of the City of Luxembourg to hold the demonstration and will be joined by Amensty Luxembourg. Platform JIF Luxembourg and the Conseil national des femmes de Luxembourg have also lent their support.
One of the main demands of the demonstration is to include in Luxembourg’s constitution the right of women to have an abortion. The authorisation of abortion within 14 weeks of pregnancy and an access for all women with or without health insurance to the medical procedure is also among the Planning Familial’s demands. The organisation also wants the government to remove the reflection period and categorise obstructions of abortion as an offence.
There isn’t a significant difference in abortion rates in countries where the practice is legal and in those where it isn’t, points out the Planning Familial in a press release. Ensuring that the medical procedure is carried out safely is essential for the Luxembourg NGO.
“A forced pregnancy impairs the future of women. If you have to carry out a pregnancy, your academic, professional and social life changes a lot. Not giving this right to a woman is a question of equity,” Planning Familial's director Catherine Chéry told Delano.
Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) voiced his support for abortion and reproductive rights on in a tweet.
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Updated on 27 June at 15.57pm after the City of Luxembourg authorised the demonstration.