Molotov cocktails
This is the story
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/8117464/couple-plead-not-guilty-to-abortion/
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/8117149/couple-to-front-court-over-illegal-abortion/
Tegan was just 19 years old when she was charged under archaic 111 year old laws that classify abortion as a criminal 'offence against morality'. If found guilty, she faces up to 7 years imprisonment.
How can this happen in Australia? Because in Queensland, and in other states, abortion is still illegal in the criminal code. And despite the fact that 90% of Australians believe early-term abortions should be legal, an extreme minority has our politicians scared into inaction.
An anti-choice organisation has organised a petition in defence of these archaic laws, with over 6,000 signatures. The opposing petition, calling for the laws to be scrapped, has less then 3,000. Let's fix that right now, so that no politician has an excuse for inaction. Please add your name and forward this to friends before the petition is printed in huge newspaper ads later this week:
As a result of this case, public hospitals in Queensland have started refusing abortions - even to women whose pregnancy is due to sexual assault.
Doctors fear criminal prosecution and up to 14 years imprisonment for providing advice and treatment, leaving young couples in impossible situations.
Some extreme anti-choice activists have even thrown flaming molotov cocktails at Tegan's house. We can't stand for this in Australia.
Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said she would support a bill to repeal the laws - but won't introduce one herself. She says there isn't enough support - and her colleagues in Parliament have been silent so far.
What are the laws in Queensland?
Abortion law in Queensland is governed by sections 224-226 and 228 of the criminal code as well as the Menhennitt ruling (1969): the case of R v Davidson and R v Bayliss and Cullen (1986).
According to sections 224-226 of the criminal code of Queensland any woman who has had or had the intention of having an abortion is guilty of a crime and liable for up to seven years jail time. For the exact wording of the law click here
Section 282 of the criminal code provides safety for doctors in regards to providing abortion services. According to the Menhennitt Ruling (1969) section 282 makes it legal for doctors to perform abortions in cases where there is a mental health or physical risk to the mother.
In 2009 after the Cairns case was publicised section 282 was amended to include ‘medical treatment’ to ensure that doctors prescribing medical terminations weren’t liable for prosecutions. While this section provides protection to doctors it does not extend the same protection for women who are seeking abortions.
The two relevant cases that help govern abortion law in Queensland are the Menhennitt ruling (1969): the case of R v Davidson and R v Bayliss and Cullen (1986). The Menhennit ruling included a risk to mental health and well as physical health as a condition under which abortions could be performed legally. In the case of R v Bayliss and Cullen (1986) Judge Maguire upheld the decision in Davidson in relation to Queensland.
This is the petition
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/my_choice_is_no_crime&id=1396&actionTest=true
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/8117464/couple-plead-not-guilty-to-abortion/
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/8117149/couple-to-front-court-over-illegal-abortion/
Tegan was just 19 years old when she was charged under archaic 111 year old laws that classify abortion as a criminal 'offence against morality'. If found guilty, she faces up to 7 years imprisonment.
How can this happen in Australia? Because in Queensland, and in other states, abortion is still illegal in the criminal code. And despite the fact that 90% of Australians believe early-term abortions should be legal, an extreme minority has our politicians scared into inaction.
An anti-choice organisation has organised a petition in defence of these archaic laws, with over 6,000 signatures. The opposing petition, calling for the laws to be scrapped, has less then 3,000. Let's fix that right now, so that no politician has an excuse for inaction. Please add your name and forward this to friends before the petition is printed in huge newspaper ads later this week:
As a result of this case, public hospitals in Queensland have started refusing abortions - even to women whose pregnancy is due to sexual assault.
Doctors fear criminal prosecution and up to 14 years imprisonment for providing advice and treatment, leaving young couples in impossible situations.
Some extreme anti-choice activists have even thrown flaming molotov cocktails at Tegan's house. We can't stand for this in Australia.
Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said she would support a bill to repeal the laws - but won't introduce one herself. She says there isn't enough support - and her colleagues in Parliament have been silent so far.
What are the laws in Queensland?
Abortion law in Queensland is governed by sections 224-226 and 228 of the criminal code as well as the Menhennitt ruling (1969): the case of R v Davidson and R v Bayliss and Cullen (1986).
According to sections 224-226 of the criminal code of Queensland any woman who has had or had the intention of having an abortion is guilty of a crime and liable for up to seven years jail time. For the exact wording of the law click here
Section 282 of the criminal code provides safety for doctors in regards to providing abortion services. According to the Menhennitt Ruling (1969) section 282 makes it legal for doctors to perform abortions in cases where there is a mental health or physical risk to the mother.
In 2009 after the Cairns case was publicised section 282 was amended to include ‘medical treatment’ to ensure that doctors prescribing medical terminations weren’t liable for prosecutions. While this section provides protection to doctors it does not extend the same protection for women who are seeking abortions.
The two relevant cases that help govern abortion law in Queensland are the Menhennitt ruling (1969): the case of R v Davidson and R v Bayliss and Cullen (1986). The Menhennit ruling included a risk to mental health and well as physical health as a condition under which abortions could be performed legally. In the case of R v Bayliss and Cullen (1986) Judge Maguire upheld the decision in Davidson in relation to Queensland.
This is the petition
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/my_choice_is_no_crime&id=1396&actionTest=true