Liechtenstein: Parliament rejects plan to legalize “abortion abroad”

By J.C. von Krempach, J.D. | December 21, 2013

The small Principality of Liechtenstein, a micro-state locked in between Austria and Switzerland, is one of the last European countries to maintain a near-to-total ban on abortion. This is due not least to the brave stance of Prince Hans Adam II. and his son Hereditary Prince Aloys II, who have both consistently vetoed all attempts of liberalisation.

The latest attempt was a legal initiative to exempt from prosecution women who have abortion abroad. Given the smallness of the country, which is not more than 15 km long and 10 km broad, this would have left the ban on abortion theoretically intact, but factually ineffective. But the Parliament has rejected this proposal, preserving the Principality as a champion of human rights in Europe.

Besides preventing liberal abortion laws from being adopted, the princely family is known for using its private funds to very generously help pregnant women in distress, not only in Liechtenstein itself, but also in  adjacent regions of Switzerland and Austria.

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