Acció Feminista Slams Andorra Govt for Keeping Abortion Criminalized in Penal Code Reform

Acció Feminista has criticised the Andorran government for not decriminalising abortion during the recent Penal Code reform, calling on General Councillors who opposed the changes to file an unconstitutionality challenge against Article 117 before the Constitutional Court.

The activist group questioned the authorities' commitment to women's rights, noting that the reform—approved in July and published in August—failed to amend the provision punishing women who consent to pregnancy termination. They described the clause as turning a private health and personal choice into a criminal offence.

Acció Feminista argued that Article 117 clashes with several constitutional protections, including human dignity (Article 4), equality and non-discrimination by sex (Article 6), life and physical integrity (Article 8), privacy (Article 14), and health safeguards (Article 30). The penalty falls solely on those capable of pregnancy, creating direct sex discrimination and undermining bodily autonomy, they contended. Women face physical, psychological, and financial risks, either from clandestine procedures or travel abroad.

The group asserted that criminalisation fails proportionality tests, proving neither necessary, suitable, nor balanced in achieving its aims. They referenced European Court of Human Rights rulings, World Health Organization data, and Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly recommendations urging safe access to abortion.

A court review, the organisation said, would centre women's rights and assess whether the state can use penal law—its harshest tool—to force unwanted pregnancies. Acció Feminista aims to push the issue through opposition councillors' appeals, while committing to advocacy in streets, courts, and public debate until equality is achieved.