ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 12 (UPI) -- A proposed abortion bill to be submitted to Turkey's cabinet seeks middle ground between a woman's right to choose and a fetus' right to life, officials said.
Health Minister Recep Akdag said the Health Ministry, the Family and Social Policy Ministry and the Justice Ministry are working with scientists to draft a balanced proposal to be presented to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the cabinet.
Erdogan said last month the cabinet was drafting an abortion bill. He has likened abortion to murder in the past, Today's Zaman reported.
Abortion has been legal in Turkey since 1983 up until the 10th week of pregnancy. Abortion rates throughout the country have steadily declined since then. Today's Zaman said the number could be affected by Turks deciding to have fewer children.
