Moroccan Authorities blocked the “abortion ship” from entering the harbor of Smir. Campaign group “Women on Waves’’ who wants to  raise awareness about safe methods of abortion was denied entry by Morocco and the port is blocked by warships and police forces.

 “Women on Waves’’ is working on alternative plan to reach Moroccan woman by opening hotline  so women can call for information about the abortion pill. The representative from “Women on Waves’’ Doctor  Marlies Schellekens said that they were invited by the Moroccan organization Alternative Movement for Individual Freedoms. She also said that “Women on Waves’’ would carry out abortions in international waters onboard their ship.
Abortion is illegal in Morocco, and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Women on Waves was founded in 1999 by Rebecca Gomperts and has visited Ireland (2001), Poland (2003), Portugal (2004) and Spain (2008). Safe abortion hotlines have recently been launched in Ecuador (june 2008) and Chile (june 2009) after Women on Waves provided training and technical support.

Source photos & text: womenonwaves.org