Germany’s highest administrative court has struck down bans against peaceful prayer gatherings near abortion facilities because they violate the country’s constitution.

The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, one of five supreme courts in Germany, ruled on June 20 that bans against prayer vigils outside of abortion clinics encroach upon the constitutional right of freedom of assembly as guaranteed by the Basic Law of 1949, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.

It is a major win for the pro-life advocacy group 40 Days for Life led by Pavica Vojnović. A regional court already had confirmed the group’s right to peaceful assembly in August 2022, but that ruling was appealed by the city of Pforzheim. The new ruling confirms that the city has no appeal