MADRID, March 6 (UPI) -- Spain's justice minister said the country's abortion law was changed to require all girls less than 18 years of age to get parental consent to end a pregnancy.
Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz Gallardon announced the change Tuesday, saying it will "give the fetus more rights" and include provisions in case "the right of the unborn child and that of the mother" come in conflict, ThinkSpain reported.
Currently, 16- and 17-year-old girls do not need their parents' consent to have an abortion although pregnant teens younger than 16 must get permission from their legal guardians.
Ruiz Gallardon said changes also were made to the country's criminal code to better define life imprisonment sentencing for convictions of crimes such as sex offenses, terrorism and serial killings.
