Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Uruguay: Congress considers decriminalizing abortion

Uruguay’s upper house is debating a bill that if approved would legalize abortion.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health proposal is a very extensive one designed to promote reproductive rights yet it is the second article on abortion that has been the main focus of attention. Despite his medical background as a cancer specialist, President Tabaré Vázquez told local media that he would veto the bill if passed with the controversial second article:

“President Tabaré Vázquez…said that as “a man of science” life begins at conception. Therefore, he considers abortion as a form of death and he would veto any intent to decriminalize it.”

According to Uruguayan newspaper El Pais, several legislators from the ruling coalition have supported the bill and this may be key to its approval in a practically deadlocked legislature.

In 2004, the upper house rejected a bill to legalize abortion despite its approval in the lower chamber.

Sources (English)- BBC News, New York Times

Sources (Spanish)- El Pais, Observa

Image- El Pais (Pro-choice demonstrators unfurled a banner in support of the Sexual and Reproductive Health bill)

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