European lawmakers urge broader abortion rights  A gauge of
European trends Lawmakers from the 47 countries in the Council
of Europe have said women should be guaranteed the right to
“safe and legal abortion”—a resolution that faced heavy
criticism from Roman Catholic groups.  The council’s
parliamentary assembly, in an April 16 resolution, said that
abortion should be avoided as far as possible and “in no
circumstances be regarded as a family planning method.” However,
a total ban would not result in fewer abortions, but instead
would lead to clandestine abortions and abortion “tourism,” the
resolution stated.  The Council of Europe, whose headquarters
are in Strasbourg, eastern France, is an intergovernmental body
for 47 European nations, including the 27 member states of the
European Union. Lawmakers from the member states’ national
parliaments make up the council’s assembly.    This article is
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