Dutch Abortion Ship Hits Rough Waters

A change in the law is threatening to scuttle a Dutch ship's mission to provide abortions to women throughout the world, reports the Independent. Dr. Rebecca Gomperts has delivered "abortion pills" that cause miscarriages to women in nations where abortion is illegal. She has skirted local laws by docking outside territorial waters and adhering to Dutch law. But now a new Dutch law limits the prescription and use of abortion pills to approved clinics.

Gomperts is challenging the law in court and has suspended ship operations until a ruling is made. "The change in the Dutch law means that women in other countries would no longer be protected and could be prosecuted if they came to our ship," Gomperts said yesterday. She attributed the more restrictive rules to the increasing influence of the conservative Christian Party in Dutch government.
(More Rebecca Gomperts stories.)