Tehran, Iran, Apr 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Iranian parliament voted today to legalize abortion for foetuses who are deemed mentally and physically disabled, reported BBC News.
Under the law, approved by just over half of Iran’s parliament, a pregnancy can be terminated in the first four months if three doctors confirm that the foetus is disabled and both parents give their consent. None of the 13 women in Iranian parliament took part in the debate.
The law still has to be approved by the Guardian Council, which examines whether proposed legislation is in line with Islamic law.
Previously, abortion was only allowed if the mother's life was proven to be in danger.
According to the BBC, the religious debate in Iran has centred more on when the foetus is deemed to have developed a soul. Some leading clerics are saying this happens only after the fourth month of gestation.