RABAT // Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has ordered that laws restricting abortion be loosened, allowing it in the case of rape, incest, danger to the mother’s health or foetal malformation.
Debate erupted in Morocco earlier this year over reforming the penal code, which banned abortion except in cases of a threat to the mother’s life. The king had his justice minister, religious affairs minister and the head of the state human rights organisation study the issue.
“Their consultations showed that a vast majority of society is for the criminalisation of abortion with the exception of a few cases that would have negative medical, psychological and social repercussions on the woman, foetus, family and society,” said a royal statement carried late on Friday by the state news agency.
With the exception of Tunisia, where abortion is legal, the practice is highly restricted across the Middle East, with occasional exceptions made for rape, incest or foetal malformations.
In Morocco, abortion is currently punishable by between one and five years in prison.
Despite this, however, the practice is widespread. Non-governmental organisations estimate that between 600 and 800 illegal abortions are performed every day in Morocco, sometimes in appalling conditions.
Extramarital relations are illegal in Morocco and some women turn to abortion to avoid the shame incurred by bearing a chid out of wedlock.
Calls for reform were sparked in December when Dr Chafik Chraibi, head of obstetrics at Rabat’s maternity hospital, was fired after he condemned the laws that forced abortion underground.
His sacking led to a debate among intellectuals and political party leaders, culminating in Dr Chraibi’s reinstatement and the king launching a committee in March to reform the law.
Some reform advocates had called for a much wider access to abortion to stem the recourse to illegal procedures.
* Associated Press and additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Sunday's games
All times UAE:
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm
Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm
Everton v Watford, 8.30pm
Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
