Switzerland's highest court ruled that only mothers have the legal say in abortion cases.

The court decided that the father of an unborn child cannot be considered a victim and thus cannot lodge a complaint against an abortion.

Abortions are legal in Switzerland if they occur within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy; later abortions can result in up to three years in prison unless deemed an emergency.

The court's decision was based on the principle that a fetus does not have legal personality before birth.

The ruling has been supported by various organizations, including the umbrella organization of Swiss men's and fathers' organizations and Amnesty International Switzerland.