On Tuesday, 21 October 2025, a protest took place in front of the Saeima (Latvian Parliament) against proposed amendments to the Law on Sexual and Reproductive Health, which seek to impose new restrictions on abortion.

The demonstration brought together around 250 people, most of them young, carrying posters calling on lawmakers to reject the amendments. Protesters chanted slogans defending women’s right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives.

They argued that the proposed changes contradict human rights principles and could endanger women’s health.

The amendments were introduced by MPs Jānis Grasbergs and Jurģis Klotiņš (National Alliance), along with Ramona Petraviča (Latvia First). The draft law would require women seeking abortion — and the fathers of the pregnancies — to attend mandatory counselling. It also introduces the term “unborn life”, defined as “human life that begins at the moment of fertilisation through the fusion of male and female gametes.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health noted that Latvia’s abortion rate is already among the lowest in the European Union — with 6.3 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age recorded last year.

Several protesters expressed their frustration to Latvian media:

“Our politicians are trying to restrict abortion rights. It’s a clear violation of human rights.”

“It’s shocking and unacceptable how some politicians are infantilising both women and men about their ability to make decisions about their own bodies.”

“Conservative politicians are dragging us away from European values. Those who stand for democracy should speak up so that we don’t end up like Hungary or Turkey.”

“I don’t want to live in a Latvia where women’s choices and destinies are limited.”

Although the parliamentary commission did not support the specific proposals on Tuesday, the amendments will still move forward for a third reading, and discussions are expected to continue. The deadline for submitting proposals is 6 November.

📎 Source: Latvian Public Broadcasting (LSM)