In a significant victory for the pro-life organization 40 Days for Life, a prominent German court has ruled that complete bans on peaceful prayer gatherings near abortion clinics violate the constitutional right to freedom of assembly. The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig delivered this landmark judgment, bringing an end to a lengthy legal dispute involving a chapter of 40 Days for Life, based in Pforzheim, led by Pavica Vojnovi. The court’s ruling comes at a time when Lisa Paus, the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, has been advocating for the implementation of what critics refer to as “censorship zones” around abortion clinics across Germany. These proposed zones aim to prohibit prayer vigils and support services in the vicinity of these clinics.
The Christian Post reports:
A top German court has ruled that blanket bans prohibiting peaceful prayer gatherings near abortion clinics infringe upon the constitutional right to freedom of assembly, a landmark win for the pro-life organization 40 Days for Life.
The judgment, delivered this week by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, marks the end of a protracted legal battle for a Pforzheim-based chapter of 40 Days for Life, led by Pavica Vojnovi?. The international human rights organization ADF International supported her in her legal case.
“The court in Leipzig has once again made clear that peaceful prayer vigils cannot be banned,” said Dr. Felix Böllmann, director of European advocacy for ADF International. “In view of the clear findings of the court, the federal government would be well advised to abandon its plans to massively restrict fundamental rights in the vicinity of abortion organizations.”
The organization’s right to peaceful assembly had been previously recognized by a regional court last August, a decision later contested by the city of Pforzheim.
The ruling arrives as the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Lisa Paus, has been pushing for what critics call “censorship zones” around abortion clinics throughout Germany, effectively banning prayer vigils and offers of support in those areas.
“I’m truly relieved. Our prayers really help, as affected women have told us over and over,” Vojnovi? said. “I am grateful that we can continue our prayer vigils. Every human life is precious and deserves protection.”
Historically, 40 Days for Life would gather twice a year to hold silent prayer vigils in front of a Pro Familia facility — a branch of Planned Parenthood in Germany.
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