AMSTERDAM, July 13, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Dutch abortion ship operated by the radical abortion group, “Women on Waves” has been restricted by the government to Dutch territorial waters. The ship can only operate within 25 kilometers of Slotervaart Hospital in Amsterdam. Health State Secretary Clemence Ross informed Parliament of the decision Tuesday. The ship was beached in response to objections by members of the Christian Democrat and other parties. The ship’s appearance in other countries where abortion is illegal has been seen as an act of neo-colonialism by pro-life spokesmen in Ireland where it was also called a “noxious invading force.” When the ship docked in Poland it was pelted with eggs and paint and greeted by hundreds of demonstrators holding signs condemning the abortionists aboard as “Gestapo” and “murderers.”
The decision to halt the ship’s international incursions was also, in part, a response to a decision by an Amsterdam court that the Health Ministry had insufficiently justified its refusal to issue Women on Waves with a permit to carry out abortions. The group has remained closed mouthed about whether surgical abortions are committed on board for fear of arrest in countries where abortion is still a criminal act. Minister Ross said that the group has permission to use the abortion drug RU-486 but not to do surgical abortions.
Read previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/jun/03062305.html ph