Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Monday 30 SepteMber 2019

AP Explains: Abortion rights in Mexico and Latin America

By AMY GUTHRIE El Salvador stands out for its
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexi- aggressive prosecution for
can women on Saturday suspected abortions. More
marched for abortion rights, than a dozen women are
highlighting increased ef- in jail for abortion, some
forts across Latin America serving sentences of up
to lift some of the world's to 40 years. Such punish-
most restrictive abortion ments often fall on poor,
laws. young women and victims
Efforts to legalize abortion of rape. The country also
have emerged in the re- prosecutes health service
gion as some societies be- providers believed to have
come more liberal and the assisted in abortions. Wom-
Roman Catholic Church en who show up to hospi-
loses sway amid clerical sex tals following miscarriages
abuse cases. Mexico City, or botched abortions are
along with Cuba and Uru- sometimes turned over by
guay, are the only places health care providers for
in the region where wom- investigation and prosecu-
en can undergo abortions tion.
during the first 12 weeks of Earlier in September, Sal-
pregnancy regardless of vadoran prosecutors said
the circumstances. they would seek a third
Last week, legislators in the Women march for abortion rights in Mexico City, Saturday Sept. 28, 2019. trial against Evelyn Beatríz
poor southern Mexican Associated Press Hernández, who says she
state of Oaxaca voted to didn't realize she was preg-
also decriminalize abortion. group that supports abor- occurred in Latin America on Wednesday became nant as a result of a rape
Abortion rights marchers in tion rights, 97% of women and the Caribbean. That the second jurisdiction — when she was a teenager.
Mexico City clamored Sat- in Latin America and the translates to a rate of 44 joining Mexico City — to al- Her mother says she found
urday for the entire country Caribbean live in countries per 1,000 women of re- low elective abortions dur- Hernández passed out af-
to decriminalize abortion. with restrictive abortion productive age. About ing the first trimester. Only ter her daughter birthed a
"The patriarchy will fall!" laws. Six countries - the Do- 760,000 women in the re- abortion in cases of rape likely stillborn baby into an
protesters chanted. minican Republic, El Salva- gion are treated each year is legal in all of Mexico. outdoor toilet. The hospital
Most demonstrators were dor, Haiti, Honduras, Nica- for complications from un- Some states make excep- where she was treated re-
peaceful, but a small num- ragua and Suriname - do safe abortions. tions for unviable fetuses, ported the missing baby to
ber set fires and vandalized not allow abortion under Here are some key facts or when the mother's life is investigators.
property. Police and fire- any circumstances. and figures for specific in danger, but women who SOUTH AMERICA
fighters put out the blazes. During 2010-2014, the in- countries: miscarry or intentionally ter- Argentina came close to
According to the Guttm- stitute estimates that 6.5 MEXICO minate pregnancies have decriminalizing abortion
acher Institute, a research million induced abortions In Mexico, Oaxaca state sometimes been jailed for last year for any pregnan-
murder. cy up to 14 weeks after a
The majority of abortions measure passed in the low-
Mexico City rollercoaster practiced in Mexico are er house of Congress. The
clandestine. Since 2007, Senate voted it down un-
car jumps rails, killing 2 women in Mexico City may der heavy opposition from
opt for abortions within the conservative groups.
first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Pope Francis, who is from
By AMY GUTHRIE coaster derailed at the La accident as a case of neg- The Mexico City Health Min- Argentina, says abortion
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Feria amusement park. Two ligent homicide. istry says more than 200,000 can never be condoned,
speeding rail car on a roll- women were hurt. Video circulating on social legal abortions have been even when the fetus stands
ercoaster flipped over mid- Preliminary investigations media showed the car flip- performed in the capital little chance of survival out-
ride at a Mexican amuse- indicate a mechanical ping nearly upside down over the past 12 years. side the womb. The home-
ment park on Saturday, kill- failure caused the car to and smashing into a metal CENTRAL AMERICA land of Pope Francis is also
ing two people and injuring come loose and fall from loop on the rollercoaster. Three Central American home to some of the most
two others. a height of 10 meters (33 Images from the aftermath countries have total bans widely attended and vocal
The Mexico City attorney feet) above the ground, showed first responders on abortion: El Salvador, protests in favor of legalizing
general's office said two said Ulises Lara López, attending victims and a Nicaragua and Honduras. abortion, with thousands of
men aged 18 and 21 died spokesman for the attorney single metal rail car on the Women in these countries women taking to the streets
of head and other injuries general's office. ground, on its side, near also face a high incidence of Buenos Aires each year
when the last car on the Authorities are treating the blood stains.q of sexual assault and un- with green scarves around
wanted pregnancies. their necks.q