Rotterdam alderman Marianne van den Anker has caused consternation with remarks about compulsory abortion. Speaking in a newspaper interview she proposed introducing compulsory abortion for drug addicts, the mentally handicapped and Antillean teenagers. The alderman, who represents the local party Leefbaar Rotterdam and whose portfolio includes public health, argued this would reduce the chances of the children growing up in a chaotic and abusive environment.
The other two parties on the city council, the Christian Democrats and the conservative VVD, called her remarks "astonishing and unacceptable". The chairman of Ms Van den Anker's own party said he agreed with her but her timing was unfortunate. Local elections are due to take place next month throughout the Netherlands.
My favorite part is where the Leefbaar Rotterdam chairman said the timing of van den Anker's remarks were "unfortunate." Presumably it would have been best to display rampant xenophobic fascism in private, where the smell wouldn't choke others, or perhaps wait for the ascension of the police state.
I suppose you can guess my opinions of her recommendations.
But interestingly enough, such practices have occurred, before. And not just by the Nazis, who used them on their various victim groups. Indonesia is said to have used it in East Timor; China has been severely criticized by the UN for doing so. What do you think of the idea, and what do you think of Ms. van den Anker's championing of it? Is there any cause in which it could be used--for example, the mentally handicapped?
