This historical decision intervenes in a predominantly Catholic country and in a context of liberalization of the voluntary interruption of pregnancy in Latin America.
Le Monde with AFP
In a judgment made on Monday, February 22, the Colombian Constitutional Court authorizes women to use abortion for any reason until the sixth month of gestation.
So far, it was only allowed in the event of rape, if the mother’s health was in danger or when the fetus presented a malformation compromising his survival, according to a judgment of 2006 of the Court, which provided for the objection of consciousness for the doctors who did not want to proceed with a pregnancy interruption.
Apart from these exceptions, women who resort to abortion were punishable by 16 to 54 months of imprisonment. From now on, “the act of abortion will only be punishable if it is practiced after the e Gestation Week,” the Constitutional Court declared in a statement. After six months of pregnancy, the conditions already fixed by the Tribunal will remain in place, specified the magistrates.
“Historical Decision”
Hundreds of pro and anti-abortion protesters gathered before the Constitutional Court. The first, who sported a green scarf, celebrated this historic decision. For their part, the opponents brandished blue flags and prayed on his knees.
“After the voting right, it is the most important historical decision for life, autonomy and the full and equal women’s development”, welcomed Twitter the mayor of the capital, Claudia Lopez.
Qué Emoción Haber Vivido Para Ver Al Fine Este Logro Para Las Mujeres in Colombia!
Desputes Del Derecho Al Sufragio, … https://t.co/fihdagoq9t
Colombia, mostly Catholic and which the Protestant Christian churches exercise a great influence, becomes the fifth Latin American country to relax the conditions of access to abortion after Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba and Guyana. In Mexico, it is legal up to twelve weeks in the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Hidalgo and Mexico.
“Colombia is at the forefront of reproductive rights, both at the regional and global level,” said Agence France Presse (AFP) Counsel Catalina Martínez, the Movement causa Justa, at the origin of the litigation for unconstitutionality of the abortion offense. The Court decided by five votes to four in favor of this decision.