Religious groups in the Balkans intensify efforts to outlaw abortions

Religious and neo-conservative groups in Croatia have been increasing pressure to ban abortions, sparking a fierce debate in the staunchly Catholic nation. While abortion remains legal in Croatia, access to the procedure is often denied, leading many women to seek abortions in neighbouring Slovenia. This movement to ban abortions stands in stark contrast to Croatia’s Communist past, when abortion rights were protected in the constitution of the former Yugoslavia. The issue has gained renewed focus following France’s decision to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution.

After the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the new countries that emerged kept the old abortion laws in place. However, the resurgence of nationalist, religious, and conservative sentiments in post-Communist Croatia has threatened the legacy of abortion rights. Doctors in Croatia were granted the right to refuse to perform abortions in 2003, leading to many women traveling to Slovenia for the procedure. Conservative groups and the Catholic church have exerted immense influence in limiting access to abortions in Croatia.

A recent campaign by the Za Zivot movement in Croatia aims to stop abortions through prayers, vigils, and lectures. Another group, Muzevni Budite, promotes traditional gender roles and campaigns against abortions, emphasizing the revival of male dominance. The case of Mirela Cavajda, who was denied an abortion even though her fetus had serious health problems, sparked protests in Croatia’s liberal community. The incident highlighted the challenges women face in accessing abortion services in Croatia.

A study by Croatian obstetrician Jasenka Grujić found that as many as 207 Croatian women traveled to a single border hospital in Slovenia for abortions. The percentage of doctors who refuse to perform abortions as conscientious objectors reaches 100 percent in some Croatian hospitals, making abortions de facto impossible for many women. The medical community in Croatia is deeply divided on the issue, with concerns about the impact on women’s health and lives.

Yugoslavia first considered legalizing abortion in the 1930s, with the right to abortion becoming a reality in the 1950s. The constitution of the former Yugoslavia, which protected abortion rights, was a significant milestone for women’s reproductive rights in the region. While countries like France have recently enshrined the right to abortion in their constitutions, the debate over abortion rights continues in Croatia and other former Yugoslav states. Despite the historical progress made in the region, challenges remain in ensuring access to safe and legal abortions for women.