Prague Activists Urge Constitutional Protection for Abortion Rights Ahead of Czech Elections

Call for Constitutional Safeguards

On Monday, September 29, 2025, activists in Prague staged a demonstration calling for the constitutional protection of abortion rights in the Czech Republic. The event, organized by the Konsent organization in collaboration with Czech Amnesty International, took place just days before the nation's parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 3-4, 2025. The primary objective of the activists is to encourage political leaders to enshrine the right to abortion within the Czech constitution.

Current Legal Status and Growing Concerns

Abortion is currently legal in the Czech Republic, allowing termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks on request, and up to 24 weeks for medical indications. Despite this, the right to abortion is not explicitly protected by the constitution. Activists highlight that this lack of constitutional grounding leaves reproductive rights vulnerable, drawing parallels to developments in other countries, such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States and strict abortion regulations in Poland. A 2023 survey by the Public Opinion Research Center (CVVM) indicated that 79% of Czechs believe women should have the right to decide on terminating their pregnancies, while data cited by Konsent suggests 68% of Czechs support constitutional protection for abortion.

Demands for Enhanced Accessibility and Information

Beyond constitutional protection, activists are advocating for several reforms to improve abortion accessibility. Key demands include:

• Expanded access to abortion pills, with calls to allow their use up to the 12th week of pregnancy, as current hospital practices often limit this to 7-8 weeks.
• Ensuring contraception is available to all individuals.
• The creation of a state-run website providing comprehensive information on abortion.
• Addressing existing barriers, such as the cost of abortion for non-medical reasons, which is not covered by public health insurance, and inconsistent access for foreign nationals, particularly those from outside the European Union.

Organizations like the A.S.A.P. (Abortion Support Alliance Prague) collective have also been vocal about these accessibility issues, noting that even within the EU, some hospitals may deny services to non-citizens.

Elections and the Future of Reproductive Rights

The timing of the protest underscores the significance of reproductive rights in the upcoming parliamentary elections. With the election campaign underway, various organizations, including Znesnáze21, are actively tracking politicians' stances on issues such as abortion, sex education, and birth care. The activists hope that by raising awareness and demonstrating public support, they can influence political discourse and ensure that the protection of reproductive freedoms becomes a priority for the next government.