ABORTION POLICIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
In the issue of abortion *one of the few things you don’t talk about on a first date*, where does Human Rights take its side? – The mother or the baby in the womb? Shall we totally eliminate abortion for the moralists or allow it for the human rights advocates?The United Nations Department of Economic Affairs recently released their up-to-date and objective information on World Abortion Policies -- legal status of induced abortion for the 195 Member and non-Member States of the UN. I only took the information for countries in Southeast Asia to compare what are our neighbor’s policies on abortion:
As you can see on the table above; there are 7 grounds for which abortion is permitted. All of us agree on one ground – to save the woman’s life. All countries in SE Asia permit abortion ONLY when the mother is at risk of dying.
On the grounds to preserve physical and mental health; our region is divided. It’s like half of us would say: “I don’t care if you go cuckoo or go comatose for 1,000 years as long as we can charge you delivery fees.” Ha!
If a pregnancy is a result of rape or incest; only Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam permits pregnancy termination if the mother chooses. Other SE Asian countries would say: “We don’t care if you suffer a lifetime of trauma and mental agony; as long as we can charge you delivery fees. Period.”
And then on the 5th ground – Foetal Impairment; Only Singapore and Vietnam took it a little farther to make sure all their citizens have 2 arms and 2 legs. It’s like the rest of us are in desperate need of circus performers. *Poor thing.*
And again, only Singapore and Vietnam would permit abortion if the mother (or both parents) cannot support the child. It’s like the rest of us would say: ”We don’t give a f*ck if you and your child go hungry or die eventually as long a we can charge you delivery fees.” *Way to go! Wooohooo!*
But on the last ground – “On request”; changes my view. To permit abortion "on request" is just one step too far. Should we go aborting each time we get pregnant? What? -- just for the heck of it? It's just way too far. If there is no valid reason, there's no need to do it. *The best gift ever, you will receive in this lifetime is that baby in your womb.* I rest my case.
