A movement to challenge the right to abortion has been emerging in Croatia in recent years
Citing "conscience", a pharmacist refused to sell birth control pills to a client in Croatia, angering many local women's rights groups.
The so-called conscientious objection, recognized by Croatian law, "could lead to restrictions on the right to health care and a violation of women's rights," said Sania Cerar of CESI.
Organizations are concerned that women's right to abortion will be called into question, but are also outraged that the Zagreb Pharmaceutical Association has backed the pharmacist's decision. According to the association, pharmacists can invoke reasons of conscience, as long as this does not endanger the life or health of the patient.
In Croatia, where the Catholic Church is all-powerful, a movement has been emerging in recent years to challenge the right to abortion, which has been legal since the days of the united Yugoslavia. It is estimated that 60% of physicians in public hospitals cite conscientious objection to abortion.
