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In November 2007 it became a crime for a woman to have an abortion in Nicaragua, even if her life was in mortal danger. So far it has resulted in the death of at least 82 women. Rory Carroll reports on the fight to have the law changed.
Women who become pregnant after being raped, or whose lives are endangered by their pregnancy, are banned from having abortions in Nicaragua. This country refuses to take into account a woman's age or her ability to care for a child and will prosecute any woman who has an abortion. "This new law intentionally denies women access to health services essential to saving their lives, and is thus inconsistent with Nicaragua's obligations under international human rights law," says Human Rights Watch.
Pro-choice groups say article 143 of the new penal code should be added to that list since it bucks the international trend towards greater abortion access and drags women back to the dark ages. Surce: The Guardian. See full reportt. - Over their dead bodies - Denial of access to emergency obstetric care and therapeutic abortion in Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s blanket ban on abortion was initially enacted in November 2006 and reaffirmed in September 2007, and includes a ban on previously-legal therapeutic abortions. It allows for prison sentences for doctors who carry out abortions under any circumstances—even to save a pregnant woman’s life—and on women who seek abortions, again, regardless of the reason. Source: Human Rights Watch, See full report.
- European delegation visited Nicaragua to examine effects of abortion ban
An advisory commission from the European Parliament visited Nicaragua to examine how the recent criminalization of therapeutic abortion has affected women’s reproductive and sexual rights. Ipas Central America and Catholics for a Free Choice organized the visit, which lasted from October 29 to November 2. Surce IPAS. See full report.
- Nicaragua: At-risk pregnancy means death or prison
MANAGUA, Oct 31 (IPS) - Nearly 90 women have died in Nicaragua as a direct or indirect result of the repeal, one year ago, of the legislation permitting abortion in cases of risk to the mother’s health, according to women’s and human rights groups. Ana María Pizarro, the head of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Sí Mujer, and Latin American coordinator of the 28th September Campaign for the Decriminalisation of Therapeutic Abortion, told IPS that the reform of the abortion law has driven up the number of fatalities reported in this impoverished Central American country.
Studies by Sí Mujer indicate that 12 young pregnant women died from lack of care in health centres where personnel were afraid of the penalties of up to eight years in jail and loss of their medical licence for doctors who carry out or assist in abortions, even when the action is taken to save the expectant mother’s life. Source: IPS. See full report.
LEGAL ACCUSATION AGAINST RENOWNED FEMINIST WOMEN IN NICARAGUA
Recently in Nicaragua, the "Pro Human Rights National Association" (ANPDH) - an organization sponsored by the right wing catholic faction and the secretary of the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference - has filed legal accusation against renowned feminist women in the country. The 9 accused women have been notorious for their defence of women's human rights in Nicaragua against all kinds of violations, including the case of Zoilamérica Narváez, repeatedly sexually abused by her stepfather, President Daniel Ortega.
The nine accused women are:- 1. - Ana Maria Pizarro, member of the regional coordination of C28
- 2.- Juanita Jiménez, until recently head of "Incidencia de la Red de Mujeres contra la Violencia"
- 3.- Lorna Norori, psychologist
- 4.- Luisa Molina Arguello, voice of the Federation of NGOs working with children and adolescents
- 5.- Martha Maria Blandón, from the Sexuality, Maternity and Rights Forum and also from IPAS Centroamérica
- 6.- Martha Munguia, director of the "Centro de Mujeres Acción Ya"
- 7.- Mayra Sirias, voice of the Women's Network Against Violence and a member of its coordination committee
- 8.- Violeta Delgado, former executive secretary of the Women's Network Against Violence
- 9.- Yamileth Mejia, until recently head of Formación Política de la Red de Mujeres contra la Violencia
You can sign in solidarity by sending an email to:
Patricia Orozco A.
Coordinadora Regional Campaña 28 de Setiembre
c28set@turbonett.com
Versión
en español
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Wed Nov 21 2007
Vatican: Pope lashes out on abortion
Thu Nov 01 2007
New phase in the fight for global safe abortion
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