Text of Romanian Decree 770

[jmowreader]

We've discussed Romanian Decree 770, Nicolae Ceaucescu's abortion ban.

This is what it actually says. I found the text, which is in Romanian, and ran it through Google Translate.

Considering that the interruption of the pregnancy course represents an act with serious consequences on the woman's health and brings great damages to the birth rate and the natural increase of the population,

The State Council of the Socialist Republic of Romania decrees:

Article 1
Interruption of pregnancy is prohibited.

Article 2
Exceptionally, the interruption of the pregnancy will be authorized according to the provisions of art. 5, in cases where:
a) the pregnancy puts the woman's life in a state of danger that cannot be removed by another means;
b) one of the parents suffers from a serious disease, which is inherited, or which causes serious congenital malformations;
c) the pregnant woman has severe physical, mental or sensory disabilities;
d) the woman is over 45 years old;
e) the woman has given birth to four children and is taking care of them;
f) the pregnancy is the result of a rape or incest.

Article 3
Interruption in the cases provided in art. 2 can be performed in the first three months of pregnancy.
In exceptional cases, when a serious pathological condition is found that endangers the woman's life, the termination of the pregnancy course can be done up to six months.

Article 4
The interruption of the pregnancy course is performed, in the cases provided by art. 2 and 3, by obstetricians-gynecologists, in specialized health units.

Article 5
Authorization to terminate the pregnancy is given by a district or city medical commission established for this purpose by the decision of the executive committee of the regional people's council or of the cities of Bucharest and Constanta.

Article 6
In cases of extreme medical urgency, when the termination of the pregnancy must be performed immediately, the doctor has the obligation that before the intervention, or when it is not possible, within 24 hours from it to notify in writing the prosecutor, who will find, on on the basis of the forensic doctor's opinion and any other data, if the intervention for the interruption of the course of the pregnancy was necessary.

Article 7
Carrying out the termination of the pregnancy in other conditions than those provided in this decree constitutes a crime and is punished according to the provisions of the Criminal Code.

Article 8
This decree enters into force 30 days after its publication. Within the same term, the Minister of Health and Social Provisions will issue instructions for the application of this decree. On the date of entry into force of this decree, Decree no. 463 for approving abortions, published in the Official Gazette no. 26 of September 30, 1957, is repealed.

[canetoad]

1. Just hangin' around youtube the other day

I came across a short clip of Ceaucescu and the Mrs. being summarily tried, found guilty and shot.

[ShazzieB]

2. Wow. Ceaucescu's abortion ban is actually more sensible the bans some red states are passing.

The exceptions listed as b, c, d, e, and f are all things that would not be legal if some states had their way. Especially c, d, and e.

Hew, forced birthers: When you want to enact laws that are harsher than those enacted by a known despotic dictator, maybe it's time to rethink a few things!

[jmowreader]

3. Some of them would also not include (a) in their bans

They don't care if it kills you, you WILL NOT end your pregnancy for any reason.

[marybourg]

4. Wow, Google Translate is orders of magnitude better than it was

just a few years ago.

[area51]

5. k&r n/t