The controversial abortion boat operated by the Women on Waves organisation has suspended its activities fearing that its staff could face prosecution following new tighter Dutch legislation on abortion, reports the NRC.

In an interview with the NRC magazine, Women on Waves director and abortion doctor Rebecca Gomperts says it has become too risky to continue its work sailing around the world to provide abortions whilst moored in international waters.
In May the cabinet changed the rules governing the termination of pregnancies so that abortion pills can only be issued by special clinics. Women on Waves is to go to court to fight the new rules, says the NRC.
Meanwhile, abortion campaigns planned off the coasts of Nicaragua, Chile, Brazil and Argentina for this year have now been suspended.
Gompert says that anti-abortion sentiment is growing in the Netherlands. ‘Under the influence of the Christian Democrats and the ChristenUnie [two of the three coalition parties] there are increasing limitations.’
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