Peru allows abortion of 11-year-old rape victim after UN pressure

Reuters
August 17, 2023

LIMA - An 11-year-old rape victim was allowed an abortion in Peru over the weekend after being initially refused the procedure, in a case that rights groups say highlights the lack of support for minors who suffer sexual abuse.

The girl, publicly identified only as "Mila," was raped for years by her stepfather, according to a police report. Earlier this month, Mila - approaching 18 weeks pregnant - was turned away at a hospital in the Amazon region of Loreto, which refused to perform the abortion.

Continued: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-allows-abortion-11-year-old-rape-victim-after-un-pressure-2023-08-16/


Pregnant 11-year-old girl denied abortion after stepfather viciously raped her

The Peruvian child's advocates are currently fighting the decision, which included separating her from her mother. The case highlights Peru's problem with sexual violence and underage pregnancy among girls.

By JACOB KESSLER
Sat, Aug 12, 2023

Recent tragedies in Peru have brought the issue of denying abortion to child rape victims into the global spotlight. The United Nations, concerned about the violation of children's rights, has called for a reevaluation of the country's approach to such cases.

In a significant ruling issued by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in mid-June, the Peruvian state was found to have violated the rights of a 13-year-old indigenous girl named Camila (pseudonym).

Continued: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1801582/peru-pregnant-girl-abortion-rape


Peru denies abortion to girl raped by her stepfather

The United Nations have called on the government to reconsider the case of the 11-year-old, which comes just two months after a 13-year-old rape victim was also prevented from ending her pregnancy

Renzo Gómez Vega
AUG 10, 2023

In mid-June, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) issued a historic ruling: it found that the Peruvian state violated the rights of a 13-year-old indigenous girl called Camila (pseudonym), who was the victim of incest and rape, by not providing her with information on or access to legal and safe abortion. In the resolution, the CRC urged Peru to decriminalize abortion in all cases of child pregnancy and to amend the regulations governing access to therapeutic abortion to provide for its specific application to girls. It also called for the creation of a cross-cutting mechanism to ensure that victims are not retraumatized. Two months later, a very similar case shows that the Peruvian government has not heeded these calls.

In this new case, the girl in question is 11 years old and is called Mila — not only to protect her identity, but also to make it clear that her rights have been violated just like Camila’s. Mila comes from a humble area of Iquitos, the capital of the department of Loreto, which is a gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. She has been systematically abused by her stepfather since she was six, and a month ago, she found out that she was 13 weeks pregnant.

Continued:  https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-08-10/peru-denies-abortion-to-girl-raped-by-her-stepfather.html


India: Minor Girl Raped, Forced to Consume Abortion Pills in Beed; Case Registered Against 14 People

As per the complaint, the 24-year-old accused allegedly accosted the victim, a Class 9 student from a village in Beed. He lured the girl every two to three days and raped her on a field at night, the official said.

Jul 10, 2023

A 14-year-old girl from Maharashtra's Beed district was allegedly raped by a man and forced to undergo an abortion, police said on Monday. Based on a complaint lodged by the girl, the Beed Rural police on Saturday registered a case against 14 people in connection with the crime, an official said.

As per the complaint, the 24-year-old accused allegedly accosted the victim, a Class 9 student from a village in Beed. He lured the girl every two to three days and raped her on a field at night, the official said. The girl confided in her mother and complained of stomach pain. A sonography was subsequently conducted and it was found that she was seven months pregnant, he said.

Continued: https://www.latestly.com/india/news/maharashtra-shocker-minor-girl-raped-forced-to-consume-abortion-pills-in-beed-case-registered-against-14-people-5254906.html#google_vignette


Girl raped by father should have received abortion access, U.N. tells Peru

By Adam Schrader
June 18, 2023

A young girl who was raped by her father and became pregnant should have received abortion information and access, a United Nations committee told Peru last week.

The girl, identified by the pseudonym Camila, was first raped by her father when she was 9 years old and was continuously abused until she became pregnant in 2017 at the age of 13, the U.N. Child Rights Committee said in a statement.

Continued: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/06/18/peru-girl-raped-by-father-abortion-access-united-nations/6581687107956/


Peru violated child rape victim’s rights by failing to guarantee access to abortion and criminally prosecuting her for self-abortion, UN Committee finds

13 June 2023

GENEVA – The UN Child Rights Committee found that Peru has violated the rights to health and life of an indigenous and rural girl victim of rape by failing to provide her with information and access to legal and safe abortion.

The Committee published its decision today after hearing the complaints filed by Camila (pseudonym), who was raped by her father from age nine until she became pregnant at age 13.

Continued: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/06/peru-violated-child-rape-victims-rights-failing-guarantee-access-abortion


India – Girls used to deliver child before 17: Gujarat HC on abortion plea of minor rape-survivor

By News Desk
June 10, 2023

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat High Court said that it was normal for girls in the past to get married at the age of 14 or 15 years and deliver a child before they turn 17.

Justice Samir Dave of the HC made the observation on Wednesday while hearing a plea of a minor rape survivor seeking permission to terminate her seven-month pregnancy.

Citing the ancient Sanskrit legal text Manusmriti, Justice Dave said that earlier 14-15 was the maximum age for getting married and indicated that he might not allow the petition if both the girl and fetus were healthy. He made the remark orally.

Continued:  https://freepresskashmir.news/2023/06/10/girls-used-to-deliver-child-before-17-gujarat-hc-on-abortion-plea-of-minor-rape-survivor/


India – Fundamental right: Woman allowed to abort 23-week fetus

Rosy Sequeira
May 29, 2023

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court has allowed the medical termination of a 23-week pregnancy (MTP) of a rape survivor, observing that forcing her to continue with it would violate her fundamental rights.

“…forcing the petitioner to continue with the pregnancy would be a serious affront to her fundamental right to exercise reproductive choices, to her bodily integrity and her dignity,” said vacation judges Justices Abhay Ahuja and Milind Sathaye on Friday.

Continued: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/fundamental-right-woman-allowed-to-abort-23-week-fetus/articleshow/100575269.cms


Kenya – Doctors take stand on abortion rights for the survivors of rape

By Gardy Chacha
May 23, 2023

It is important that victims of rape and defilement – who consequently fall pregnant – are accorded medical abortion care by medical practitioners, when and if they make such a request.

This is the position of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (Kogs) – an organisation of about 500 Kenyan doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Continued: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/reproductive-health/article/2001473463/doctors-take-stand-on-abortion-rights-for-the-survivors-of-rape


Canada – Why Justin Trudeau’s viral response to an anti-abortionist missed the mark

April 25, 2023
Lesley Ann Foster

A viral clip of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from his recent visit to the University of Manitoba circulated rapidly on social media. National and international news outlets celebrated his response to a young, self-acclaimed People’s Party of Canada voter and anti-abortionist.

Trudeau’s defence of a woman’s right to choose involved him appealing to the anti-abortionist’s humanity by using an extreme example of rape.

Continued: https://theconversation.com/why-justin-trudeaus-viral-response-to-an-anti-abortionist-missed-the-mark-204068