11.   Similarly, he said that while he opposes abortion rights, he would enforce the laws permitting abortions and recognize that his was not the only opinion that counted.

12.   Statutes permitting abortion are always unjust because they violate fundamental human rights, John Paul said.

13.   The decision to permit abortions for the rape victims was not officially announced.

14.   A top Muslim cleric has issued a ruling calling on the government to permit abortions for unmarried rape victims.

15.   But, on Monday, in line with the law, a court of appeals upheld an earlier judgement permitting the abortion.

16.   Chen said Chinese law prohibits medical personnel from giving examinations to determine the sex of the fetus, though abortion is permitted.

17.   Current law permits abortions only if the physical or mental health of the mother or her unborn child is at stake.

18.   It would not permit abortions merely on the grounds of a genetic defect in the fetus.

19.   South Africa currently permits abortions for medical and other reasons, but forbids abortion on demand.

20.   The pontiff also has urged governments to overturn laws permitting abortion.