ANC "terminates" debate on Abortion Bill
Cheryllyn Dudley MP

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is shocked by the ongoing refusal for a debate in Parliament regarding the Abortion Bill.

The National Assembly will vote on the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy amendment bill on Thursday.

“The CTOP amendment bill enters its final phase. And ‘once again’ a proposed debate by opposition parties regarding an amendment to the Abortion bill has been thrown-out.” said Cheryllyn Dudley MP and ACDP spokesperson on Health matters.

“The Abortion Bill is controversial. But members of Parliament’s Health Portfolio Committee are continuously being denied the opportunity to debate amendments to this Bill.” said Cheryllyn Dudley.

The Chairperson of Parliament’s Health Committee, today, declared the amendment from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) “technical” and therefore there would be no debate.

He reiterated that no debate is being considered because the debate, concerning the Abortion Bill, took place on the original act.

“The fact that the amendments to the Bill, aimed at increasing access to abortion, will have far-reaching repercussions and don’t have the support of a large percentage of health workers has simply been shrugged off ‘once again’.”