Abortion in Saudi Arabia
Abortion in Saudi Arabia is generally illegal with only a very narrow exception.[1] An abortion is only legal if the abortion will save the woman's life or if the pregnancy gravely endangers the woman's physical or mental health.[2] The pregnancy must be less than four months old, and if longer, requires a panel of approved specialists to declare that the pregnancy will result in the death of the woman.[1] Any approved abortion requires consent from three physicians as well as the patient and her husband or guardian.[2] If an abortion is performed on a woman for any other reason, the violator may be required to pay blood money to the fetus's family.[2] Laws explicitly deny abortion to families who fear financial instability or an inability to provide the child with education.[2]
References
- 1 2 Toebes, Brigit; Ferguson, Rhonda; Markovic, Milan M.; Nnamuchi, Obiajulu (2014-09-05). The Right to Health: A Multi-Country Study of Law, Policy and Practice. Springer. ISBN 9789462650145.
- 1 2 3 4 Abortion Policies: Oman to Zimbabwe. United Nations Publications. 2001. Retrieved 23 November 2014.