Uruguay Takes First Steps To Decriminalize Abortion; Presidential Veto Expected

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 14 Nov 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Uruguay's Senate on Tuesday voted 17-13 to decriminalize abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, but President Tabare Vazquez is expected to veto the bill, Reuters reports. The bill would loosen restrictions on abortion, which under current Uruguay law only is permitted in cases of rape or if the health of the woman or fetus is in danger. The 1938 law states that women who seek abortions and those who assist them could face jail terms. Reuters reports that Vazquez has promised to veto any law that would ease restrictions on abortion, and it is unlikely that there is enough support for the bill in Congress to override his veto.

Unrestricted access to abortion is banned in Latin American countries, home to about half of the world's Roman Catholic population (Reuters, 11/11). Guyana and Cuba are the only other Latin American countries that allow most abortions in the first trimester, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports (Garces, AP/San Jose Mercury News, 11/11). In response to the Uruguay bill, Catholic Church leaders issued a statement warning Catholic lawmakers who voted for the bill that they could be excommunicated. According to Reuters, the statement "sparked criticism from across the political spectrum."

In a recent Interconsult poll, 57% of Uruguayans supported fewer restrictions on abortion and 63% opposed a presidential veto on the bill. Ruling party Sen. Margarita Percovich said, "Whether the president vetoes it or not, it's important that Congress has established this right," adding that she hopes Vazquez will change his position (Reuters, 11/11).

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