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Abortion approved—at UN demand
Small country buckles under international pressure
Less than two months after being told to do so by the United Nations, Nepal’s parliament has voted to legalize abortion.

The House of Representatives approved the 11th Amendment to the Civil Code, allowing abortion under certain circumstances: in cases of rape or incest, up to 10 weeks into the pregnancy; in any case in which the pregnancy is judged as posing a danger to the physical or mental health of the mother; or in cases where the child would be born with a physical disability. Agence France Presse reported that the vote was 112-92.

Under the terms of the bill, a woman’s husband or guardian must give consent for the abortion in all cases. Parliamentary officials suggested that the bill would pass the Upper House and be signed by King Gyanendra within two months.

Although the UN claims it does not promote abortions in countries where the practice is against the law, on August 31, the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights did just that. In its Concluding Observations of the Committee on Nepal, the UN committee stated:

The Committee urges the State party to take remedial action to address the problems of clandestine abortions, unwanted pregnancies, and the high rate of maternal mortality. In this regard, the Committee urges the State party to reinforce reproductive and sexual health programs, in particular in rural areas, and to allow abortion when pregnancies are life threatening or a result of rape or incest.