Portugal broke the law when it blocked the free passage of the Dutch abortion boat operated by Women on Waves in 2004, the European court of human rights has found.

The boat, which flies under the Netherlands’ flag so that Dutch laws apply on board, was approaching the port of Figueira da Foz when two Portugese warships blocked its way. Abortion was illegal in Portugal at the time.
Rebecca Gomperts of Women on Waves told Wednesday’s Volkskrant she is delighted with the finding. ‘We shall use the judgment for new campaigns outside Europe,’ she said.