Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kritaya Archavanitkul, coordinator of the Network Supporting Options for Unplanned Pregnancies, stated that while the Constitutional Court is interpreting whether the Criminal Code Sections 301-305 related to abortion may be unconstitutional, especially Section 301 which states that any woman who causes herself or consents to another person causing her to have an abortion is guilty under the law. The fact is that pregnancy does not occur solely from the woman. This law intentionally neglects to penalize men who cause women to become pregnant, which contradicts the constitution, the supreme law of the country, which states that human dignity, rights, freedoms, and equality of both women and men must be equally protected.
The Network Supporting Options for Unplanned Pregnancies therefore asks the public and all relevant agencies to fully understand that the Constitutional Court’s acceptance of the petition for consideration is for the benefit of the health and quality of life of women and families, according to the basic human rights and necessities. It also requests that those involved in the justice process, including police, prosecutors, lawyers, and courts, recognize and give importance to this petition. In the case where the police propose to stop arresting and prosecuting safe abortion services provided by doctors.
Source: https://youtu.be/i6CP7iKIS_U Press conference “Constitutional Court accepts petition to consider Sections 301 and 305 of the Criminal Code regarding constitutional issues of the Kingdom of Thailand” organized by the Network Supporting Options for Unplanned Pregnancies and RSA Volunteer Network in collaboration with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, and Faculty of Law, Thammasat University on December 20, 2018, at Kamthorn Suwannakit Conference Room, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health.