Police officers stand against protesters at the March for Life event on HradcanskÈ Square. Photo: ∑im-nek VÌt/CTK/dpa
Keystone
Thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations on abortion rights in Prague. The participants in the annual “March for Life” marched through the city center after a service in the Catholic St. Vitus Cathedral. Hundreds of mainly young protesters gathered for a counter-demonstration under the slogan “Prague is feminist”. They held up signs with texts such as “Women’s rights are human rights” and “My body, my choice”.
The police were on site with numerous forces to prevent clashes. Five people were temporarily arrested because they did not follow the officers’ instructions, a spokesperson said. According to the CTK agency, the number of abortions in the Czech Republic has been falling for decades and stands at around 15,000 per year. Women can legally have an abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy without having to give a reason. Abortions for medical reasons can be legal up to the 24th week.