Greek Doctor Faces Criticism for Comments on Abortion
A Greek gynecologist,Dr. Aristidis Karystianou, has sparked widespread condemnation for suggesting that abortions should be limited to cases of rape or when the mother’s life is in danger. The comments, made during a television appearance, have drawn criticism from government officials and opposition parties alike.
Government spokesperson pavlos Marinakis stated that the remarks where notably concerning coming from a medical professional, and emphasized that the legality of abortion in Greece is a settled matter. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-doctor-faces-criticism-over-abortion-comments-2024-01-18/
Panagiotis Doudonis, a lawmaker from the main opposition party PASOK, defended a woman’s right to bodily autonomy and highlighted that abortion rights were established in Greece in 1986 with legislation allowing for the termination of pregnancy. He characterized opposition to these rights as an “extreme-right position.” https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-doctor-faces-criticism-over-abortion-comments-2024-01-18/
SYRIZA spokesperson Kostas Zachariadis echoed these sentiments, labeling the comments as reflective of an extreme-right ideology prevalent in greece, Europe, and the United States. He affirmed that reproductive self-determination is a key achievement of Western civilization. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-doctor-faces-criticism-over-abortion-comments-2024-01-18/
Legal Status of Abortion in Greece:
Abortion in Greece is legal under certain conditions. Law 3051/2002, as amended, allows for abortion on request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Between 13 and 18 weeks, abortion is permitted in cases of serious risk to the woman’s life or health, fetal malformation, or rape. After 18 weeks, abortion is only legal if the woman’s life is in danger. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/regdata/etudes/BRIE/2023/734438/IPOL_BRI(2023)734438_EN.pdf734438_EN.pdf)