Interpellation concerning the collection of data on post-abortion complications (No. 550)
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-27 21:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 36
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 29m
AI Summaries: 36/36 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The submitted inquiry addresses the collection of data on post-abortion complications in Estonia. The purpose of Inquiry No. 550, submitted by Riigikogu member Varro Vooglaid on June 14, 2023, is to gain an overview of whether and when improvements are planned for the collection of data on post-abortion complications, and what information would be available to women to aid them in making their choices. Typical concerns raised include: what complications occur, the timing of their onset, how widely this data is collected, whether the existing foundational data collection document—the data card for termination or miscarriage of pregnancy—reflects all crucial factors, and whether data is collected to a sufficient extent and with adequate temporal nuance. Furthermore, the discussion covered how the state and ministries manage information policy regarding abortion, their role in funding campaigns, and the extent to which specialized information and counseling services are accessible to women. The inquiry also highlighted two main questions: (1) Do the competent Estonian authorities plan to improve the collection of information regarding post-abortion complications? (2) If not, what considerations are seen behind this decision, and how does it affect women's awareness and decision-making? In conclusion, the availability of data, counseling, and safety requirements are compared, and the role of state-commissioned campaigns is reviewed in light of necessary awareness and prevention activities.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Riigikogu member Varro Vooglaid (pid="ehjpLK1FIak"); his position is classified as 'other' (a standard opposition conservative viewpoint). He submitted an interpellation and posed several questions and comments that directed the entire session’s central attention toward the collection of data on abortion complications and the discussion of relevant sectoral recommendations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The fifth item on the Riigikogu's agenda is the consideration of the interpellation (Query No. 550) submitted by Varro Vooglaid on June 14, 2023, concerning the collection of data on post-abortion complications, for which Varro Vooglaid is requested to serve as the rapporteur.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asserts that abortion is not a human right and that it harms both the woman and the child, emphasizing that Estonia must better collect and disseminate information regarding the consequences of abortion so that women can make an informed decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and announces that the questions will be answered by the honorable Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo stated that in Estonia, data concerning pregnancy and miscarriage are collected within the information systems of the National Institute for Health Development, which allows for the analysis of complications and ensures the quality of counseling for women and the provision of safe services. Furthermore, public statistics indicate that complications occur in approximately 1.8 to 2.3 percent of cases.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Speaker announces that there is an opportunity for questions and invites Martin Helme to take the floor.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme raised the point that the abortion issue creates a divide between a woman's right to choose and the rightness of the child's life. He mentioned the absence of a substantive response and asked who truly protects women's physical and mental well-being—those who spread empty human rights slogans, or those who address the problem and seek to reduce the number of abortions.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
He/She emphasizes that the healthcare provider is responsible for providing information related to the medical service so that the individual can make an informed decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Varro Vooglaid to take the floor.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid stated that he was not receiving substantive answers and asked whether data on post-abortion complications is collected in Estonia only for those complications that occur within 24 hours of the abortion being performed.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
The Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, thanks you for the question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asks whether complications following an abortion can manifest late, and whether data should be collected and mapped to raise awareness of these risks and truly understand the real risks involved, as well as why this data is currently only collected within a 24-hour period.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo said that the matter does not fall under her area of responsibility, and she lacks the detailed knowledge required, so she does not know the answer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Mart Helme to speak.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo said she doesn't understand why something was presented to her and why the Riigikogu sent it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The main message of the speech is that if a question does not fall within the minister's area of responsibility, it is fair to state that he does not handle it and cannot provide an answer. Consequently, questions must be restricted to the scope of competence of the ministry currently headed by Mart Helme.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasized that the issue must not be confined solely to this specific area, and ministers must gather sufficient material to provide comprehensive answers, focusing instead on clarifying the risks of abortion for young women, rather than funding campaigns.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and notes that Mart Helme will continue from where he left off, referencing the campaigns.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
According to Riisalo, a campaign is not the right way to educate people; education must be as personalized as possible and adapted according to specific target groups, taking into account a person's age, stage of life, and relevant information pertaining to those factors. Furthermore, certain topics—such as informing young people about sexual health versus providing information to older women regarding the decision to terminate a pregnancy—require different approaches and should not be addressed through a mass campaign. Over the last year and a half, the Ministry of Social Affairs has carried out two campaigns (care reform and family-friendly employer), and a third one is currently being planned, all financed by European funds.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invites Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the allowance of LGBT campaigns and the preparation of the trans law, which she claims permanently mutilates young men and women. She stresses that women must be protected from trauma and is asking the Minister of Social Protection for a response on the matter.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs does not run campaigns (there have only been two), that counseling related to the termination of pregnancy is mandatory, and that the medical procedure must be carried out safely. Furthermore, if concerns arise, help is also available through other services, including pregnancy crisis counseling, which is now on the list of services provided by the Health Insurance Fund. In addition, mental health support is being developed at the community level, the services of clinical psychologists are financed in family doctor centers, and counseling offices for youth and services intended for victims of sexual violence are offered.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that those submitting the query decide for themselves which minister the questions are presented to; the board lacks the authority to switch the minister or alter the query, and they only have the option of sending the query back if it has not been directed to the proper minister.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asks what the Ministry of Social Affairs has actually done instead of running campaigns, and why they claim that campaigns are not the right approach when staff shortages necessitate prioritizing a personal approach.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo stated that over the past year and a half, the Ministry of Social Affairs has conducted only two campaigns: one concerning the care reform and another regarding the working environment for families with children. The remaining campaigns, including those on LGBT topics, are carried out by strategic partners and are independent of ministry funding. Furthermore, although the Estonian Union for Child Welfare and other child-related organizations share a specific worldview concerning abortion, the campaigns are not focused in that direction. Instead, the focus is on counseling and building preparedness so that individuals make choices that neither harm their health nor endanger the next generation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They asked for Rain Epler on the call.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler drew attention to the minister's latest response and requested a detailed explanation of the indirect funding scheme, specifically asking whether the ministry's involvement in financing certain campaigns is being concealed via indirect funding, despite direct funding not being acknowledged.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo stresses that the state has a duty to support the third sector.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi requests that the Minister be allowed to answer.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
The state distributes funds received from the gambling tax, and through strategic partnerships, several NGOs can jointly apply for financing via a public tender and organize campaigns that must be consistent with the Estonia 2035 Development Plan and the Welfare Development Plan.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanks the minister, confirms that there are no questions, and asks Rain Epler to present one question directed at the presiding officer of the session.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler describes the interruptions and emotional reactions that took place during the sitting, urging the Presiding Officer to limit these interruptions and calling on ministers to wait for the question to be completed so that the answer can begin.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi stated that the point was relevant, noting that the Minister had occasionally tended to answer before the colleague had finished their question. He added that he would monitor the situation closely, and asked Helle-Moonika Helme to pose one more question before they proceeded to the negotiations.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme, during the interpellation, criticizes the minister who repeatedly claimed the issue was outside his jurisdiction. She also raises the question of the Riigikogu Board's decision and asks which specific part of the inquiry fell under his purview and whether he was mistaken in claiming he shouldn't have been present.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi stated that the minister has the right not to answer questions that are outside of their portfolio, stressed the free will of Riigikogu members to pose questions, and recommended not being overly rigid, but rather initiating negotiations.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that the state must not fund third-sector propaganda, accuses the government and its budget of spreading abortion-related campaigns—which he calls lies—and asserts that only conservatives stand up for women's mental and physical health.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that the discussions had concluded and the proceedings on this agenda item were terminated.