June 30, 2009

Protest abortion prosecution in Queensland, Australia

Please act by August 15, 2009

In April 2009, the state of Queensland charged a 19-year-old woman and her partner under its archaic Criminal Code: the woman for procuring her own miscarriage and her partner for importing RU486 to enable the abortion. These are the first abortion-related charges to be laid in Queensland since the prosecution of two doctors in 1985; in Australia, this is the first against a woman in over 50 years. The case, initially due to be heard in June, will have a hearing on September 3 that will determine whether or not the case will continue or be thrown out. The couple face up to seven years' imprisonment.

Abortion is still a crime throughout most of Australia, despite over 80% of the population supporting a woman's right to choose. In 2008, the state of Victoria decriminalized abortion, setting an example for others to follow. (Abortion has also been legal in the Australian Capital Territory since 2002.) The Queensland case signals an orchestrated rightwing backlash. Already, doctors registered to use RU486 have announced that they will no longer perform medical abortions until the law is changed.

Pro-choice Queenslanders are fighting back. The Pro-Choice Action Collective (PCAC) and Children by Choice are two organizations campaigning to win abortion rights in that state. The grassroots PCAC has organized two rallies, demanding that the charges be dropped and abortion be decriminalized. The collective is circulating a petition with these demands.

Wherever you are, here are two actions you can undertake:

1. Circulate the PCAC's petition (PCAC's return address is on the petition)
   
2. Write to Queensland's Premier, Anna Bligh, addressed to:
   Hon Ms Anna Bligh, MP
   Premier and Minister for the Arts
   Box 5822
   End Queensland 4101 Australia