Croatians March in Defence of Abortion Rights

Hundreds of abortion rights activists and supporters marched through the centre of the Croatian capital, Zagreb, on Saturday, calling for abortion rights to be upheld. 

Under the motto "Loudly about Abortion!", the rally began in the Square of the Victims of Fascism, where demonstrators called for abortion procedures to be provided for free under the state healthcare system and for an end to the social stigma surrounding it.

Although abortion is legal in Croatia under a Yugoslav-era law enacted in 1978, the procedure is becoming more limited for those wanting to undergo it due to the dwindling number of doctors prepared to perform it.

Pro-choice activists fear that while Croatia's parliament may stop short of an all-out ban, the measures they might adopt will put abortion effectively out of reach.

The rally comes as lawmakers, under orders from the Constitutional Court, are rewriting the country's abortion law, with a deadline of February next year to complete the task.

 The lead banner at the rally reads: "Solidarity March" followed by the event's motto, "Loudly About Abortion!" Photo: Anja Vladisavljevic Hundreds of Croatian citizens took part in the march on September 29, 2018. Photo: Anja Vladisavljevic

A woman holds a sign reading "Death to violence, freedom to women". Photo: Anja Vladisavljevic

 "Solidarity March" in Zagreb on September 29. Photo: Anja Vladisavljevic

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