Open Letter from Twenty-One Pro-Life Organizations to Dr. Zsolt Hegedűs, Hungary’s Minister of Health

Subject: Abortion Pill, Fetal Heartbeat Regulation – Pro-Life Organizations Excluded from Consultation

Dear Minister,

We have learned that today the Ministry of Health held a consultation regarding the regulation commonly known as the “fetal heartbeat regulation”, proposed changes to the prescription requirement for emergency contraception, and the possible introduction of the abortion pill. We were surprised to find that the majority of pro-life civil society organizations that have been dedicated to protecting unborn human life for many years were not given the opportunity to participate in this discussion.

To our knowledge, the consultation included numerous organizations that support liberalizing abortion laws, while only a very small number of pro-life organizations received invitations. We nominated several of our representatives in accordance with the Ministry’s instructions and within the specified deadline, yet they were not afforded the opportunity to take part in the consultation. Our organizations have spent decades working with pregnant mothers, women facing crisis pregnancies, families, and issues relating to the protection of human life. We therefore believe our experience would make a meaningful contribution to this important dialogue.

We are concerned that all three issues identified by the Ministry would make access to abortion and emergency contraception easier, thereby diminishing the protection afforded to human life from conception. Furthermore, these interventions—emergency contraception and the abortion pill—also pose serious health risks to the women and young girls who use them.

We believe it is particularly important to present the professional experience and international research indicating that, in addition to preventing conception, emergency contraception may also have mechanisms that can result in the loss of embryonic human life. Making these drugs available without a prescription and without prior medical evaluation, physician counseling, or appropriate medical and parental oversight may place young girls and women at risk. Without such safeguards, users may not receive complete information about contraindications and potential side effects, while repeated use may increase the likelihood and severity of adverse health consequences. Parents may also remain unaware of a significant event affecting their child and of the associated physical and mental health risks.

We also wish to emphasize that the use of the abortion pill at home, without clinical supervision, can lead to serious complications. It leaves women to face the physical and emotional realities of the process alone. While it creates the false impression that the procedure is simple and humane, it is, in fact, the ending of a human life.

We would likewise like to share our experience regarding the fetal heartbeat regulation. We are convinced that the regulation upholds the fundamental healthcare principle of informed consent, which is required before any medical procedure. Patients must have a clear understanding of their condition, what will take place, and the consequences of their decision. Before making an irreversible decision that results in the loss of her child and may profoundly affect her own life, a mother should have the opportunity to see or hear signs of her child’s life, such as an ultrasound image or the sound of the heartbeat.

We respectfully ask that, as these consultations continue, additional pro-life organizations be given the opportunity to participate and to present their views. We wish to serve as constructive partners in developing solutions that both support pregnant women facing crisis situations and protect unborn children. We believe the interests of mothers and their unborn children are not in conflict, but should be advanced together.

We further believe that long-term security for everyone involved is best achieved through preventive measures grounded in education for family life, accurate information, and practical support. Such measures include strengthening crisis pregnancy counseling, expanding financial and emotional assistance for mothers, establishing and improving maternity homes, further enhancing the adoption system, restoring respect for mothers who choose life, and increasing young people’s understanding of prenatal human development.

At the same time, we are convinced that weakening legal protections for human life should not be subject to majority opinion, and that facilitating the ending of human life cannot be regarded as a professional or medical advancement. On the contrary, it deprives the most vulnerable members of society of their rights—those whom we have both a moral and legal duty to protect. Under Hungary’s Fundamental Law, the life of the fetus is entitled to protection from the moment of conception. We therefore respectfully urge you, Minister, not to remove the existing legal protections afforded to unborn children, and to halt any proposals that would weaken the protection of human life or expand access to abortion.

Yours sincerely,

Alpha Alliance

Motherland Foundation

Axioma Center

Association for Family Science

CitizenGO Hungary

Center for Human Dignity

ERGO – European Regional Organization

Youth in the Service of Life (FÉSZ)

“Glad You Are Here!” Association of Pro-Life Advocates

There Is a Future Foundation

Association of Christian Intellectuals

Hungarian Society of Christian Physicians

Cry for Life Association

St. Luke Association of Hungarian Catholic Physicians

Hungarians in Europe Association

Everybody’s Birthday Foundation

“Do Not Be Afraid, I Do Not Condemn You” Post-Abortion Healing Weekend

National Association of Large Families (NOE)

40 Days for Life

Take Action Against Abortion Community

Protected Society Foundation

Budapest, July 30, 2026