Spain Creates 'Blacklist' of Doctors Who Refuse Abortions
The government's initiative was met with sharp criticism from doctors and lawyers, who warned against a violation of freedom of conscience and an attempt to exert ideological influence.
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.
