Madrid legally recognises unborn child as part of the family

Madrid has become the first region in Spain to legally recognise unborn children in relation to financial aid.

Under the ‘conceived unborn child’ law, the regional government allows families to include any unborn baby in applications for benefits calculated on the basis of the number of family members.

A family’s third child, if over 14 weeks’ gestation, will warrant additional grants and discounts.

‘Every life matters’

Welcoming the passing of the legislation, Community of Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso said: “Every life matters; every life is unique, irreplaceable, from conception until the last breath.”

She stressed that a “baby on the way is a blessing”, and publicly acknowledging life “infuriates those who impose frivolous, unhinged ideological agendas and who know deep down that we are right and that we are stirring consciences”.

In Spain, abortion is legal for any reason up to 14 weeks. But Ayuso has previously described the deaths of unborn babies in Spain as a societal failure.

Proof of life

Parents in Northern Ireland who have lost a child at 24 weeks or younger can now apply for a baby loss certificate.

Kelly Barnes, who volunteers at the Province’s Sands baby loss charity and has lost children to miscarriage herself, said the certificates can “carry some of the emotional weight by officially commemorating our losses and providing support to bereaved parents”.

Stormont formally introduced the certificates last month, following similar legislation in England and Scotland. The Welsh Government has not yet announced a launch date for its certificates.

Following their introduction in England, The Christian Institute’s Director, Ciarán Kelly, commented: “These certificates are a timely recognition of the humanity of the unborn, and an important acknowledgement of the vital truth that life begins at conception.”