Spanish minister of health, Mónica García / Cred: Pool Moncloa, José Manuel Álvarez
On 16 December 2024, the Spanish government’s health ministry announced it had approved a protocol for a register of conscientious objectors as part of Spain’s abortion law.
While this was explained as an effort “to guarantee the right to conscientious objection of healthcare personnel, while ensuring access to [voluntary termination of pregnancy] throughout the national territory”, the clear intention behind this law is to create a black-list of pro-life doctors who can easily be subjected to intimidation and harassment.
The Spanish Minister of Health, Mónica García, made this issue a top priority. This is how she put it: “No more excuses! Our mission is to guarantee the exercise of the right. And abortion is a right that must be exercised freely, safely and free of charge.”
In the context of what is being witnessed in the US, where various pro-life pregnancy centres have been attacked and firebombed, it is extremely dangerous for the Spanish government to proceed with such a black-list which could endanger Spanish doctors. It further undermines data protection and the right to privacy.