Hungarian women must hear 'vital signs' of their foetus before abortion under law change

euronews.com:

Hungarian women wanting an abortion will be made to listen to the foetus' heartbeat before going through with the procedure, according to a new change in the law announced on Tuesday.

The measure, signed off by Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, obliges pregnant women seeking a termination to first obtain a report from an obstetrician-gynaecologist, stating that they have been confronted "in a clearly identifiable way" with the “vital functions” of the foetus.

The law will come into force on 15 September.

Far-right Hungarian MP Dóra Dúró, who has campaigned for the amendment to the law, welcome the decision in a Facebook post.

"The government has taken a step towards protecting all foetuses from conception, as there will be at least a few seconds when a foetus can communicate with its mother by listening to its heartbeat before an abortion is carried out," she wrote.

The law around abortions "is not set in stone in a Christian country worthy of the name. Let's write history!" she added, thanking pro-life organisations for their support.

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Abortions in Hungary have been legal since the 1950s. In most cases, the procedure can be performed until the 12th week of pregnancy, but there are exceptions where this can be extended up to 24 weeks.

Hungarian politicians, civil society groups and MEPs have slammed the move.

The Hungarian government “is banning abortion quietly, without consulting women,” said opposition MP Tímea Szabó. “Once again, men alone decide fates.”

"Abortion is nobody's hobby. But to deny help for women and not to ask their opinions is barbaric, sneaky and stomach-churning,” he added, calling on the