Russian MPs have introduced a bill to ban abortion in private clinics. A measure that resembles an electoral strategy, according to observers.
Russian deputies presented this Wednesday to the Duma a bill to exclude private clinics from the list of medical organizations authorized to perform abortions.
Since the start of the year, Moscow has stepped up its crackdown on abortion, making it practically “illegal” in certain regions. Last month, Patriarch Kirill called for a nationwide ban on abortions : “Without exaggeration, this is a true national disaster that destroys the future of our society and destroys the idea of the value of human life.”
“Only the state should control where, when and who is killed in our clinics” added Natalia Moskvitina, president of the charity “Women for Life” and a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
In Moscow, this new bill frightens young women. “This is a disgusting idea, because the clandestine work of clinics and hospitals will spread, female mortality will increase, which will lead to demographic problems” comments a student.
Some elected officials called on deputies not to frighten women and to leave the right of decision to families. But observers consider the abortion debate currently playing out in state media resembles an electoral strategy.
Alexeï Rakcha, independent demographer, explains: “There is now a kind of election fever, and someone decided that this was a good topic to distract from more serious issues. The number of abortions has been divided by 14 since the collapse of the ‘USSR.’
Until now, Russian legislation on abortion remains one of the most liberal in the world.