Beatriz vs El Salvador: The landmark case that could change the most restrictive abortion laws in the Americas

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is investigating how a 21-year-old, who was diagnosed with lupus and carrying a fetus that would not survive outside the womb, was not allowed to terminate the pregnancy

Noor Mahtani, San Salvador
MAR 23, 2023

“When my daughter was told she was pregnant and had lupus, the doctors said she could not continue with her pregnancy, because both of their lives were in danger. They said that there was only one way she could be saved, but that they couldn’t do it. They couldn’t allow an abortion.” That’s how the mother of Beatriz, a young woman who lost her life after being denied an abortion, began her testimony in the landmark case: Beatriz vs El Salvador.

For the first time, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) is investigating the total ban on abortion in El Salvador, where it is a crime under any circumstances, and punishable by up to 50 years in prison. A favorable ruling for the family of Beatriz (whose real name remains under seal) could ease the most restrictive anti-abortion law on the continent and set a precedent for the region.

Continued: https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-03-23/beatriz-vs-el-salvador-the-landmark-case-that-could-change-the-most-restrictive-abortion-laws-in-the-americas.html

Argentina Is Persecuting Abortion Rights Activists

Argentina Is Persecuting Abortion Rights Activists

Published 16 August 2018

Three police raids took place Wednesday in the small city of Rio Grande, in Argentina, against feminist activists.

The justice system of the city of Rio Grande, in the southernmost province of Tierra del Fuego, ordered the provincial police to raid the homes of feminist activists in search of evidence related to their activism for the legalization of abortion.

“It was intimidating. Members of the forensic police entered my house, read the search warrant and started going through everything. They made me go to the bathroom with a policewoman to search me, they removed my shoes and my parents’ shoes, and they took my computer, my cell phone, and my green bandanas. They also wanted to take the book that explained how to abort using pills,” Gala, a member of Colectiva Feminista (or Feminist Collective) explained.

Continued: https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Argentina-Is-Persecuting-Abortion-Rights-Activists-20180816-0006.html

Abortion brings bishops and feminists together in Bolivia

Abortion brings bishops and feminists together in Bolivia
March 23, 2017

"Any abortion is a crime,” claimed Evo Morales, Bolivia’s president, in 2013. However, he also acknowledged that he was not an expert on the topic and expressed his willingness to discuss it with female ministers.

Now the issue is high on the agenda again as Mr. Morales’ party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), last week presented a controversial bill to decriminalise abortion during the first eight weeks of pregnancy in situations of extreme poverty. Parliamentary President Gabriela Montaño said the reform is an adjustment of the criminal code to the Bolivian reality, in which “the poorest women die in clandestine clinics for badly practiced abortions”.

The bill also stipulates that students and women with at least three children would be eligible for an abortion. Bolivia is one of the countries in Latin America that already views rape, abduction, incest and health risks for the mother as possible exceptions to allow abortions. However, civil society organisations say women face difficulties in obtaining the necessary authorisation.

Continued at source: The World Weekly: https://www.theworldweekly.com/reader/view/magazine/2017-03-23/abortion-brings-bishops-and-feminists-together-in-bolivia/9845

25.03.2017