Issuance of Indictment for a Doctor in Yazd for Providing Abortion Tools

Following the tightening of restrictions related to abortion in Iran and support for pro-natalist policies, the news agency "Rokna" has reported the issuance of an indictment against a specialist doctor in Yazd for his "readiness" to facilitate the execution of "illegal abortion." No information has been released regarding the identity of this doctor. The report states that 11 abortion pills, "Misoprostol," were found in this doctor's office. Among the charges against this specialist doctor are "providing abortion tools," "keeping abortion medication without legal authorization," and "interfering in pharmaceutical matters for unauthorized prescription of these pills." According to Rokna, a request to revoke this doctor's license has also been submitted to the court. The "Misoprostol" pill is a common medication prescribed for abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. The World Health Organization recommends two effective drug regimens—Mifepristone combined with Misoprostol or Misoprostol alone—for abortion. Many clinical guidelines recommend Misoprostol only when Mifepristone is not available. In countries where Mifepristone is not accessible, most medical abortions are performed using Misoprostol alone. The "Misoprostol" pill has several advantages, including low cost, ease of use, and greater stability in storage. In Iran, with the approval of the law known as "Family Support and Population Youth," many obstacles have been created for doctors and medical centers regarding abortion, and security and judicial actions have ranged from closing offices to revoking medical licenses in this area. Previously, the Deputy of Treatment at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences also reported the referral of owners of seven offices that were active in abortion to judicial authorities. Article 56 of the "Family Support and Population Youth" law prohibits abortion and considers it a "public crime" punishable by blood money, imprisonment, and revocation of medical licenses. The exact statistics on abortion in Iran are unclear, and many abortions are performed underground. Unofficial statistics also indicate that between 450,000 to 600,000 abortions are performed annually in the country. One parliamentary representative went further, stating that the number is "2,000 abortions daily." Amirhossein Bankipour stated that 93% of aborted fetuses are "legitimate." The newspaper "Shargh" reported, citing the Ministry of Health, that one year and a few months after the enactment of the "Population Youth" law, the number of voluntary pregnancy terminations was 370,000 annually, of which only 10,000 were performed legally in medical centers. The "Population Youth" law states that the permission for abortion must be granted by a judge, not by a doctor. According to Article 311 of the Penal Code, "Whenever a doctor, midwife, or other individuals engaged in medicine, midwifery, surgery, or pharmacy undertake abortion or introduce or provide its tools, in addition to revocation of their license, they will be sentenced to fourth-degree imprisonment (5 to 10 years) and dismissal from public services or prohibition from their professional activities, or permanent prohibition from their activities." Alongside the intensification of restrictions and prohibitions on abortion, many people resort to medications sold through illegal channels; this raises concerns about their authenticity and endangers lives. The head of the Drug and Food Committee of the Health and Treatment Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly called the procurement of abortion medications and other drugs in cyberspace a "disaster." The Director General of Drug Affairs and Controlled Substances of the Iranian Food and Drug Organization stated that one of the platforms selling abortion medication was fined "only 5 million tomans," criticizing this issue. Mohammad Peykanpour noted that sometimes drugs are sold online at prices 30 times higher than usual. The enforcement of abortion laws in Iran sees 90% of abortions being performed in illegal centers. Seventeen percent of maternal deaths in Iran are due to lack of access to gynecologists. The Ministry of Health denied reports of the birth of 12 babies with Down syndrome. The newspaper "Ham-Mihan" criticized the increase in disabilities in the country, stating that abortions have reached 500,000 annually. One day after the announcement of the formation of an "Abortion Patrol," a midwifery office was closed.