Ban on abortion will bring more harm than good, AK Party deputy says

Speaking to the Hürriyet daily, Memecan said: “I don't think a ban on abortion will ever bring benefit. I even think that a complete ban will cause great harm [to women]. Banning abortion does not mean it will never be practiced again. Such a ban will cause more difficulties for women and put their lives at risk,” implying that such a ban will prompt women to resort to illegal and risky abortions.

Memecan went on to say that both abortion and Cesarean sections, which can have many negative effects on health, are torments for women and that no woman chooses abortion without strong motivation.

“The present condition is not alarming [considering the rate of abortions and C-sections], but if there is an increase [in the rate of abortion and C-sections], awareness should be raised about the benefits of natural birth, the grounds for abortion and its consequences,” Memecan further stated.

Abortion discussions have dominated Turkey's agenda for two weeks after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered two fiery speeches in which he attacked abortion and Caesarean births as “secret” plots designed to stall Turkey's economic growth. He referred to abortion as “murder” and added that no one should have the right to approve abortions.

Erdoğan also declared last week that his government was preparing a draft bill on abortion and intended to enact it into law. The declaration sparked anger from women's rights groups and several female deputies, initiating a debate on the government's right to intervene in people's choices.