The MR, through federal MP Philippe Goffin, has tabled a proposal to revise the Constitution aiming to introduce a new Article 23bis, enshrining the right to bodily autonomy as a guaranteed fundamental right. The text was presented today to the Chamber's Constitution Committee.
For Philippe Goffin, the initiator of the text, “the right to bodily autonomy is an essential foundation of individual freedom. Enshrining it in the Constitution sends a strong message: in Belgium, these freedoms are inalienable, and they will remain so. We are taking a stand for the future, against any attempt at rollback.”
“It is time for our Constitution to fully reflect the values we uphold: those of a free society, where every individual has the right to choose for themselves, in conscience and dignity,” stresses MR federal MP Victoria Vandeberg, co-signatory.
The aim is clear: to anchor the right to bodily autonomy in our fundamental law as a right protected at the highest level of Belgian law. “ Protecting this right in the Constitution ensures that lawmakers, today or tomorrow, cannot roll back the essence of rights such as abortion, euthanasia or medically assisted reproduction. It is a duty of vigilance and an act of responsibility,” continues Philippe Goffin.
This step follows on from the major ethical and humanist battles fought by Belgium: decriminalisation of voluntary termination of pregnancy, legalisation of euthanasia, recognition of patients' rights, access to contraception, regulation of medically assisted reproduction, and more broadly, respect for everyone's bodily autonomy.
Finally, this constitutional proposal will have a significant impact on the fight against sexual violence. Indeed, a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights affirms that the marital duty constitutes an infringement of sexual freedom and of the right to bodily autonomy, and enshrines respect for consent, which remains fundamental and non-transferable.
A societal project
For Victoria Vandeberg, at the heart of this reflection, “there are first of all life journeys. Women and men faced with deeply intimate, often painful decisions, marked by doubt. Choices sometimes made in silence, out of fear of judgment or loneliness. Recognising this right means choosing a responsible humanity: one that offers everyone the certainty that their dignity and autonomy will be respected, whatever the circumstances of their life.”
The proposal seeks to insert into the Constitution an Article 23bis worded as follows:
“Art. 23bis. Everyone has the right to bodily autonomy, except in the cases and under the conditions established by law. The law, decree or rule referred to in Article 134 shall guarantee the protection of this right.”
The MR calls for broad democratic consensus around this text, in the name of respect for fundamental freedoms and human integrity.
In addition to Philippe Goffin and Victoria Vandeberg, the text is co-signed by MR MPs Daniel Bacquelaine, Florence Reuter, Pierre Jadoul, Hervé Cornillie, Catherine Delcourt, Charlotte Deborsu, Benoît Piedboeuf and Georges-Louis Bouchez.