The Hungarian government has issued a decree that women have to listen to the heartbeat of their unborn baby before they can get an abortion, CNE News reports. This law was proposed by the right-wing party Mi Hazánk.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs has recently stated that about two-thirds of Hungarians see the first heartbeat of the fetus as the beginning of life. The Hungarian government argues that by making women listen to the heartbeat of the fetus, they are confronted with the vital functions of the unborn child.
The right-wing party Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) proposed this new law in May of this year. According to party member Dóra Dúró, the law would lead to a decrease of the number of abortions. She argues that life should be protected from the moment of conception.
The Hungarian government is led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His government is known for its family friendly policies, such as the introduction of subsidies for big families so they can buy things like a bigger house or car.
The Hungarian government wrote in 2011 in their Constitution that “the life of the fetus will be protected from conception”, although they did not change their abortion life until now.
To be able to get an abortion in Hungary, women must show a letter that confirms the pregnancy from a gynecologist. Women also must go to family services that give information about adoption and state benefits for mothers at least twice. From now on, they also must have heard the heartbeat of their unborn child. An abortion is allowed up till 12 weeks of pregnancy. After 12 weeks, it is only possible to get an abortion when the child is not viable.
