LISBON, August 30, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Dutch abortion boat, Women on Waves, has been warned by Portuguese officials that they are not to enter its sovereign waters.
The ship’s request for a berth at Portugal’s northern port of Figueira da Foz Saturday was denied by Nuno Fernandes Thomaz, secretary of state for sea affairs. This past Sunday Thomaz told the daily newspaper Diraio de Noticias, “if the ship decides to disrespect the orders of the Portuguese government it will have to get round a navy vessel,” as reported by Yahoo news.
Rebecca Gomperts, the doctor who founded the floating abortuary, said Saturday that denying the ship entry was a violation of European Union rules that allow free movement of people between member countries. She warned that her organization would take the Portuguese government to an international court; she also said the boat was exploring the possibility of ferrying women to the boat, anchored just outside Portuguese territorial waters off Figueira da Foz. “Using the abortion pill is prohibited in Portugal. If they plan to administer it, that means they will bring it (on board),” Thomaz told the Portuguese Lusa news agency Saturday. “For this reason (the boat) should stay in international waters.” This is the first time the abortion boat has been denied entry to a country’s territorial waters. Pro-abortion activists said they would protest the decision Sunday.