Watch FACEBOOK LIVE of the press conference on the Constitutional Court’s acceptance of the petition to consider Sections 301 and 305 of the Penal Code regarding issues related to the constitutionality of the Kingdom of Thailand
By the Network Supporting Choices for Women with Unplanned Pregnancies and the Volunteer Network RSA in collaboration with
the Department of Health Ministry of Public Health and the Faculty of Law Thammasat University
at Kamthorn Suwannakit Conference Room 1st Floor Building 1 Department of Health Ministry of Public Health
Thursday December 20, 2018 from 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM.
Following the charges against women who received safe medical abortion services and health service providers appointed by the Ministry of Public Health under Sections 301 and 305, this case has negatively impacted the health service system focused on preventing injury and loss of life from unsafe abortions causing women with unplanned pregnancies to lack support and turn to unsafe illegal abortion services, risking injury or death
The Volunteer Medical Network RSA as representatives of health service providers and the Network Supporting Choices for Women with Unplanned Pregnancies as representatives of women receiving health services both networks believe that Sections 301 and 305 of the Penal Code violate the constitution and have exercised their rights under Section 46 of the Organic Act on Procedures of the Constitutional Court B.E. 2561 to file a complaint on March 8, 2018, for the Ombudsman to consider forwarding the case to the Constitutional Court The Ombudsman reviewed and responded on May 2, 2018, stating that the law poses practical issues but is not yet considered unconstitutional However, to resolve this issue a legal study is recommended to suggest improvements to the relevant agencies including allowing direct submission to the Constitutional Court
Therefore, on September 26, 2018, the network submitted a request for the Constitutional Court to consider Sections 301 and 305 of the Penal Code regarding issues related to the constitutionality of the Kingdom of Thailand and received a response from the Constitutional Court on November 13, 2018, with an order to accept the petition for consideration under the Constitution Section 213 signed by Mr. Charan Phakdithanakul Constitutional Court Judge
The Friendly Service Network Project for Adolescents and Women with Unplanned Pregnancies is scheduled to hold a press conference on December 20 to communicate and create public understanding and for law enforcers about the progress of the process especially the legal implications while the Constitutional Court’s interpretation is pending regarding charges against women facing unplanned pregnancies or doctors providing safe services according to the Ministry of Public Health’s policy which will affect the smooth provision of safe services in the health service system to prevent injury and loss of life from unsafe illegal abortions which remains a major issue in Thailand
The list of speakers includes
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kritaya Archavanitkul Coordinator of the Network Supporting Choices for Women with Unplanned Pregnancies
- Dr. Amorn Kaewsai Coordinator of the Volunteer Network RSA
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Ronnakorn Boonmee Lecturer at the Faculty of Law Thammasat University
- Dr. Buncha Khongkhong Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health Ministry of Public Health
Press Conference Schedule
10.30 – 11.20 AM. Open press conference “Constitutional Court accepts the petition to consider Sections 301 and 305 of the Penal Code regarding issues related to the constitutionality of the Kingdom of Thailand”
Background process and results of the petition submission
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kritaya Archavanitkul Coordinator of the Unplanned Pregnancy Network
Dr. Amorn Kaewsai Coordinator of the Volunteer Network RSA
What are the legal implications of the Constitutional Court’s acceptance of the petition?
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ronnakorn Boonmee Lecturer at the Faculty of Law Thammasat University
Policy direction of the Department of Health Ministry of Public Health on medical abortion
Dr. Buncha Khongkhong Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health Ministry of Public Health
11.20 – 12.00 PM. Open for reporters’ questions
Live broadcast of the press conference via FACEBOOK LIVE at: https://facebook.com/rsathai.org/