Faroe Islands Vote Overturns Strict Abortion Ban

Lawmakers in the Faroe Islands have repealed one of Europe's most restrictive abortion laws. The self-governing Danish territory had previously banned the procedure in almost all circumstances. The local parliament, the Løgting, voted to change the legislation. The old law only permitted abortions if a medical panel approved the request. This change aligns the islands' rules more closely with those in mainland Denmark. Danish law generally allows abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The reform marks a significant shift in social policy for the remote North Atlantic archipelago. Authorities will now develop specific medical guidelines to implement the new law.