No abortions in Indonesia

No abortions in Indonesia

From Neraca

I would like to congratulate Minister of Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi on her strong opposition against the effort to legalize abortion as expressed in the recent Women's conference in Beijing. Western countries such as America, Norway, Sweden and Denmark regard abortion as normal and it has become part of human rights.This means that women can decide whether or not abortion is necessary.

According to Mien Sugandhi, who represented Indonesia at the conference, abortion is against religious morals and is prohibited, except when medical consideration advocates otherwise, i.e. to save the life of the mother.

As a matter of fact, the issue of abortion is regulated in Law No. 3/1992 concerning health, and Law No. 10/1992 concerning population and building of prosperous families.

On sexual issues, Indonesia maintains that sexual relationship must be based on legal marriage. Western tradition, on the other hand, regards sexual rights as part of human rights and therefore each individual is free to choose his or her sexual partner.

DEWI SUBAGYO PUTRI

Jakarta