2021 Gibraltar abortion referendum
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A referendum on partially legalising abortion was scheduled to be held in Gibraltar on 19 March 2020.[1] However, on 12 March the referendum was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Background
On 12 July 2019, the Gibraltar Parliament passed the Crimes (Amendment) Act 2019 (which allows abortions in certain circumstances[3]) by a vote of 10–7. Nine of the ten MPs from the GSLP–Liberal Alliance as well as the one Together Gibraltar MP voted in favour. GSLP MP Albert Isola voted against the bill together with the six Gibraltar Social Democrat MPs.[4] Seeking to establish popular support for the proposal, MPs unanimously approved the holding of a referendum on the legislation, letting the government decide of the actual date. Following the victory of the ruling coalition in the October 2019 general elections, on 19 December the government decided to hold the referendum on 19 March 2020, also lowering the voting age for the referendum to 16.[5][6] The ballot paper question was set as "Should the Crimes Amendment Act 2019, that defines the circumstances which would allow abortion in Gibraltar, come into force?"[6]
Campaign
Government funding of up to £50,000 will be provided for the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns, with each campaign limited to spending £50,000 in total.[6]
A 'Gibraltar for Yes' group was formed to campaign in favour of the change, consisting of Choice Gibraltar, Feminist Gibraltar, No More Shame Gibraltar and the Secular Humanist Society of Gibraltar.[1] The group was backed by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Chief Minister backs 'Gibraltar for Yes' which will be launched this Saturday before the March 19 abortion referendum The Olive Press, 22 January 2020
- ^ Referendum on Abortion Postponed - 173/2020 HM Government of Gibraltar
- ^ Bill
- ^ House Debates Abortion Bill as activists protest before Parliament lobby GBC, 12 July 2019
- ^ Notice of motion
- ^ a b c A motion calling a referendum on the abortion law in March is passed by Parliament GBC, 20 December 2019
