All the news
Fertility and Pregnancy
Miscarriage: new "circumstantial leave" for couples from the start of pregnancy
On 3 May 2024, the Belgian federal government approved a draft Royal Decree granting 2 working days' leave in the event of a miscarriage. This new leave for federal civil servants will fill the gap between the start of pregnancy and the 180 days after which specific measures already exist. For...
Fertility and Pregnancy
Pregnancy: The unborn child will not be affected by radiotherapy to the upper body
A study by UZ Leuven published in April 2024 in the scientific journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health investigated whether radiotherapy for cancer in pregnant women has an impact on the long-term health of their...
Fertility and Pregnancy
Resilient women: a new medium gives voice to women who have experienced a "turbulent" pregnancy
"Will I be able to look after him?” This is one of the questions asked by pregnant women who are going through an ordeal with their pregnancy, and whose stories have been collected by the Résilientes media. Although...
Abortion
Abortion: the European Parliament calls for complete decriminalisation
On 11 April 2024, the European Parliament voted (336 in favour, 163 against and 39 abstentions) for a resolution to amend Article 3 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union to include the right to...
Surrogacy
The European Parliament lists "the exploitation of surrogate motherhood" as an act of human trafficking
On 23 April 2024, the European Parliament voted to amend the Directive on human trafficking to include surrogate motherhood among the acts of human trafficking that Member States are obliged to punish. Voted 563 in favour, 7 against and 17 abstentions, the text is still subject to approval by the...
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Criminalisation of incitement to suicide: the Belgian legislator excludes assisted suicide and euthanasia
On the 22 February, the Belgian legislator adopted the new Book II of the Penal Code, which enshrines the new offence of incitement to suicide. Its aim is to protect people's lives, but it excludes assisted suicide and...
Fertility and Pregnancy
Delaying or eliminating menopause thanks to cryopreservation of ovarian tissue?
In the early days of 2024, the prestigious scientific journal American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology published the results of a study to determine the feasibility of cryopreserving ovarian tissue in order to delay...
Surrogacy
Surrogate motherhood: in Rome, a large panel of experts calls for an international ban on the practice
An international conference for the universal abolition of surrogate motherhood was held in Rome on 5 and 6 April 2024.
This meeting of international experts is part of the Casablanca Declaration, signed on 3 March...
In the spotlight
All the news
Bereavement leave in the event of euthanasia: will it be possible to change one’s mind?
Belgium – Proposed liberalisation of abortion laws: 12, 14 or 18 weeks – a scientific question or an ethical choice?
Belgium: care for people with disabilities under scrutiny from the UN
Alberta (Canada): a setback for the expansion of euthanasia?
Surrogacy: between freedom-restricting contracts and eugenic abortions
Euthanasia in cases of advanced dementia: a further extension of Belgian law?
Our Themes
Beginning of Life
End of Life
Rights and Freedoms
Stay informed
Subscribe to our free newsletter!
Support the IEB
To carry out its activities, the IEB relies solely on the enthusiasm and motivation of private donors.
Any donation of €40 or more to the IEB is tax-deductible in Belgium, allowing you to reclaim 30% of your donation.