Human autonomy as a basic human right - elimination of criminal penalties for abortion
In the heart of Europe, Germany continues to grapple with the intricate issue of abortion regulation, with no significant legislative advancements towards fully removing it from criminal law as of August 2025. Abortion remains legal under regulated conditions primarily governed by the Criminal Code (§§ 218-219a).
The discussions surrounding reproductive rights in Germany are far from stagnant. Organizations like the Alliance for Sexual Self-Determination, the German Women's Council, and Evangelical Women in Germany (EFHiW) are consistently advocating for a fundamental reform. They call for the decriminalization of abortions and their regulation outside the Criminal Code, aiming to eliminate structural stigmatization and ensure access to reliable information and local supply.
The EFHiW's stance adds another voice to the ongoing debates. Pastor Birgit Reiche, Managing Director of EFHiW, underscores the need for reform from a Christian perspective, emphasizing self-determination over one's own body as a fundamental human right. She calls on the federal government to take concrete steps towards reform, advocating for the removal of Section 218 from the German Criminal Code in the interest of social justice, medical care, and human rights-based legislation.
The EFHiW's theological argumentation highlights the importance of self-determination, bodily integrity, and social justice in the context of a new regulation. They argue that the Bible does not provide a clear position on abortions. Instead, it calls for respectful and empathetic accompaniment of women in conflict situations.
Another key point raised by the German Women's Council is the integration of abortion into medical training and the recognition of abortions as part of medical basic care, financed by health insurance companies. They criticize the current system for leading to supply gaps, especially in rural regions, making access to medically safe abortions difficult.
The call for the removal of Section 218 from the German Criminal Code is strengthened by EFHiW's theological argumentation and the German Medical Assembly's support for decriminalization. The resolution of the EFHiW member assembly underscores the need for a law reform from a Christian perspective.
These calls for reform echo the sentiments of many affected people, who face difficulties obtaining reliable information and local supply, as highlighted by the ELSA study. The ongoing discussions about the need for reform in the regulation of abortions in Germany are a testament to the commitment of these organizations to advocating for the rights and well-being of women and the need for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to reproductive health care.
- The Alliance for Sexual Self-Determination, the German Women's Council, and Evangelical Women in Germany (EFHiW) are pursuing fundamental reforms in the regulation of abortions, aiming to decriminalize them and regulate them outside the Criminal Code.
- Pastor Birgit Reiche, Managing Director of EFHiW, has emphasized the need for reform from a Christian perspective, calling for the removal of Section 218 from the German Criminal Code as a step towards social justice, medical care, and human rights-based legislation.
- The German Women's Council has advocated for the integration of abortion into medical training and the recognition of it as part of medical basic care, funded by health insurance companies, to address supply gaps, particularly in rural regions.
- The EFHiW's theological argumentation and the German Medical Assembly's support for decriminalization have strengthened the calls for the removal of Section 218 from the German Criminal Code, echoing the sentiments of many affected individuals who face difficulties in obtaining reliable information and local supply.
