Spain Creates 'Blacklist' of Doctors Who Refuse Abortions

Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain. Photo: Orissa Post

MADRID — On Oct. 5, 2025, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez ordered for lists of doctors who refuse to perform abortions for reasons of conscience. As reported by The European Conservative, this move is part of a new government policy aimed at tightening control over the health system and effectively restricting the right of medical professionals to refuse to participate in abortions.

According to the order, Sánchez sent official letters to the heads of government of Aragón, Asturias, the Balearic Islands and Madrid asking them to create and organize regional registers of doctors who refuse to participate in abortions "as soon as possible." The regional authorities have three months to comply with the order.

Medical associations and human rights activists warn that such lists violate freedom of conscience and could become an instrument of pressure and discrimination against disagreeing specialists. In their opinion, it is not about protecting women's rights but about imposing an ideological line in the medical field.

Earlier, Sánchez had expressed his intention to enshrine the "right to abortion" in the Spanish constitution, describing this as a step to protect the "autonomy and freedom of women." Critics, however, are convinced that the government is replacing medical ethics with politics and trying to suppress dissent.

The president of the Medical Association of Madrid, Manuel Martínez-Celes, noted that such an initiative aims to intimidate doctors:

"If the government really wants to organize a system, it should make lists of those who are willing to perform abortions, not those who refuse."

According to observers, Sánchez's campaign has a political background rather than a medical one – it is intended to divert public attention from internal crises and corruption scandals, and to make the issue of abortion another tool of ideological mobilization.

Previously, UOJ reported that Planned Parenthood is facing a $1.8 billion Medicaid fraud lawsuit.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.