"We hope the democratic system returns the rights your veto has violated to all Uruguayans."

The Uruguayan Congress notably passed the bill legalizing abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, in an antidemocratic move, President Tabaré Vazquez vetoed the bill against the opinion of his own political party and the majority of Uruguayans that favour legalization. Organizations and individuals have signed a letter asking the president to overturn his decision and "return the rights that the veto has violated to all Uruguayans"

16 November, 2008

Dr. Tabare Vázquez
President of Uruguay

The Uruguayan Congress – both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies – passed a new sexual and reproductive rights law.

With their vote, the representatives of the Uruguayan people demonstrated to the entire region that democratic state institutions are able to guarantee our societies the protection and fulfillment of rights that both broaden citizenship and deepen democracy.

As a result, in a society with as long a democratic and secular tradition as Uruguay, it is offensive that a single person can revoke the decision and vote of the majority, and alone determine the alternatives to unwanted pregnancy, a decision each woman ought to be able to take autonomously. Mr. President: women are people and citizens and our dignity deserves respect.

Mr. President: we recall the quote of Jose Artigas, ¨My authority flows from you and ends at your sovereign presence.”

We hope the democratic system returns the rights your veto has violated to all Uruguayans.

Sincerely yours,

Signatures follow:

Institutions, networks and organizations

Consorcio para el diálogo parlamentario y la equidad – Mexico
Herdnson Center for Social Justice UC Berkeley Law - USA
Alianza de Mujeres – Panama
AWID – Canada
Colectivo Feminista - El Salvador
APC WNSP – Mexico
Adult Learning Forum - South Africa
AMMAR – CTA - Argentina
RSMLAC - Chile
Area diversidad sexual – Argentina
Women´s league of Burma – Burma
Womankind worldauide - United Kingdom
International Women´s Rights Action Watch – Malasia
INFORM – Sri Lanka
Zambia National Women´s Lobby – Zambia
Sahiyar – India
Centro Las Libres – Mexico
PWESCR – India
Space Allies – Japan
Mulabi – Argentina
Kenya Human Rigths Commision - Kenya
Radio Internacional Feminista – Costa Rica
IWRAW AP – Costa Rica
WIDE - Spain
ICAE - Uruguay
EIGE – Mexico
CIPAF – Rep. Dominicana
DAWN – Cook Islands
RIMA - Argentina
Womens Lip – South Africa
Adithi – India
Sogep – Turkey
Institute Womne´s Studies – Poland
WAF – United Kingdom
Cordaid – The Netherlands
Akina Mama – Uganda
UWOMET – Uganda
Feminist Forum – South Africa
BRIDGE, IDS – United Kingdom
U.N.A – Sweden
Frente de pueblos en defensa de la tierra - FDTT – Mexico
ICWECD – Nigeria
Central campesina Cardenista – Mexico
JASS – Indonesia
IMOW – USA
ALGA – Kyrgyzstan
SE4 – Kenya
Asoc. Frida Kahlo – Brazil
CNL – Angola
APC – Phillipines
WEMC – Japan
UCT – South Africa
ZWW – Zambia
SWAGAA – Swaziland
Gabriela Women´s Party – Phillipines
INWF – India
WIN – Belize
Domestic Workers United – USA
SOFFA – South Africa
Africa gender members – South Africa
Las Ramonas – Paraguay
The AIDS Consortium – South Africa
Corriente joven feminista – Nicaragua
HIVOS - The Netherlands
TAC – South Africa
Canadian Crossroats International – Canada
Womankind – United Kigdom
Centro cooperativo – Guatemala
WEDO – USA
H. Boll Fundation – Germany
Women Forum – Indonesia
SAHA – South Africa
Center for reproductive rights – USA
FEW – South Africa
CIUICUS – USA
Ibhayi Living Centre – South Africa
DAWN Caribean – Barbados
Annouri – Nigeria
CONAG –DCF – New Guinea
Riseau Centre – Madagascar
FIRE – Madagascar
Sri Ratu – Indonesia
Rpuk – Indonesia
Red por los DS y DR – Mexico
Foro de mujeres y políiticas de población – Mexico
Colectivo “Graciela Hierro” – Mexico
Ayuda Popular Noruega – Angola
Cesvitem – Mozambique
Raising Voices – Uganda
Rayouwan Mata – Nigeria
Federation Women´s and Family Planing – Poland
Astraea Foundation – USA
Rede Mulher – Angola
Violence Against Women Proyect – Egypt
Mujeres viviendo bajo leyes musulmanas - United Kingdom
IAPDF – Togo
Movimiento Humanista – Mozambique
AFEME – Senegal
Vanishing Rites – Bangladesh
VAM-X - Alemania
Center for women´s adolescent empowerment – Nigeria
LAS – Swaziland
FEIM - Argentina
AMMAR – Argentina
IBDAA Women – Palestine
RMCV Petateras – Nicaragua
Naripokkho – Bangladesh
CIMAC – Mexico
Just Associates – USA
Nobel Women´s Initiative – USA
AMUDEIA – Mozambique
Young Women´s Christ Asoc. – Zambia
Aim for women´s rights – Netherlands
Sahiyar – India
COMO – Mexico
Turkey Homenet – Turkey
Risourse Centre – Pakistan
AFEME - Senegal
Articulación Feminista Marcosur – AFM
Campaña por la Convención Interamericana de Derechos Sexuales y Derechos Reproductivos
Centro de la Mujer Peruana Flora Tristán – Peru
Red Nacional de Mujeres – Colombia
Fondo de mujeres del sur – Argentina
Fondo Angela Borba – Brazil
Red Regional de Católicas por el derecho a decidir – AL y C
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir – Argentina
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir – Bolivia
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir – Mexico
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir – Colombia
Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir - Brazil
Fondo Mujer- Colombia
Fondo Alquimia – Chile
Global Fund for Women – EUA
Coordinadora de la Mujer – Bolivia
Mesa por la vida y la salud de las mujeres – Colombia
Red nacional de mujeres – Colombia
Confluencia de redes de mujeres – Colombia
Red de educación popular entre mujeres – AL y C
Salud integral para la mujer – Mexico
Coalición por la salud de las mujeres – Mexico
Constituyente feminista del distrito federal – Mexico
Consorcio parlamentario para el diálogo y la equidad – Mexico
Herdnson Center for Social Justice UC Berkeley Law - USA
Multisectorial de mujeres – Argentina
Cotidiano Mujer – Uruguay
Red Uruguaya de Autonomías / RUDA – Uruguay
Articulación campaña nacional por el derecho al aborto legal, seguro y gratuito – Argentina
Alianza por la democracia – Mexico
Grupo de Información en Reprodución Elegida / GIRE – Mexico
El closet de Sor Juana – Mexico
Equidad de Género, Ciudadanía, trabajo y familia – Mexico
Red Internacional de Género y Gomercio – Cap. Latinoamericano
Asociación por los derechos de la mujer y el desarollo - AWID – Canada
Federación internacional de planificación familiar – Región Hemisferio Occidental – USA
Alianza de mujeres – Panama

Individuals

Daphne Cuevas - Mexico
Alice M. Miller – USA
Cecilia Alemany – Uruguay
Alibel Pizarro – Panama
Cindy Clark – USA
Morena Herrera – El Salvador
Erika Smith – Mexico
Liz Helme – South Africa
Jorgelina Sosa – Argentina
Noelia Casati – Argentina
Khin San Htwe – Burma
Lo Dwellineg – Burma
Thandi Davies – South Africa
María Baños Smith – United Kingdom
Sunila Abeyselena – Sri Lanka
Rollen Mukarda – Zambia
Deepali Ghelani – India
Verónica Cruz – Mexico
Srilatha Batliwala – India
Emma Syderham – India
Karen Plafker – USA
Elsa Duhagon - Uruguay
Alejandra Sardá – Argentina
Elsa Duhagon - Uruguay
Fumo Anzula – Japan
Sumie Asatori – Japan
Xmlithoni Nanzeki – Kenya
Yarman Jiménez – Costa Rica
Andrea Alvarado – Costa Rica
Alda Facio – Costa Rica
Luisa Antorin – Spain
Nerea Cravotto – Belgium
Celita Eccher – Uruguay
Zazil Canto – Mexico
Perla Vázquez – Mexico
Ana Gutiérrez – Mexico
Verónica Delgado – Mexico
Michele Isnab Hasson – Mexico
Elizabeth Plácido – Mexico
Nicole Bidegain – Uruguay
Lucy Garrido – Uruguay
Maria Graciela Cuervo – Mexico
Ivonne Cinderhill Sem – New Zealand
Fernanda Hopenhayn – Uruguay
Gabriela de Cicco – Argentina
Pregs Govender – South Africa
Marilyn Waring – New Zealand
Manasi Samaddar – India
Sebren Kilig – Turkey
Keith Waters-Radchiffe – Canada
Eva Zillén – USA
Frances Kubadu – USA
Nighar Khen – Poland
Katie McDonald – Australia
Gita Schgal – United Kingdon
María Coctrins – Netherlands
Jodie de Heer – Netherlands
Margaret Houedyk – Netherlands
Demi Swralaga- Netherlands
Solome Nakaweesi- Uganda
Atsayo N. Chesani – Kenya
Grecha Konosomara – Uganda
Gertrude Fester – South Africa
Alyson Brody – UK
Natalie Raaber – UK
J. Demetriades – UK
M. Clarhe – UK
Annet Alvibeson – Sweden
Benjamin Acosta – Mexico
Trinidad Ramírez – Mexico
Ana M. Robles – Mexico
Baw Bridget – Nigeria
Sandra García – Mexico
Dina Lzumbantobing – Indonesia
Masum Momaya – USA
O. Djanoeva – Kyrgyzstan
Caroline Muiitni – Kenya
Chindalena Ferreyra B. – Brazil
Patricia Hayellsum – Mexico
Valentín Hermita – Mexico
Cayley Taylor – Canada
Jw Sm Kee – Malaysia
My Lene Soto – Phillipines
Amelia Cardoso – Angola
Lin Chao . Japan
Javiera Bedini – South Africa
Denise Hunt – South Africa
Audrey Clulct – Zambia
Doreen Mgwenya – Swaziland
Xulile Mazibwce – Swaziland
Cristina Palabay – Phillipines
Burmad Fatimyn – India
Shelmadine Cacho – Belize
Barbara Young – USA
Silvia Altolaguirre – Spain
Ester Zabala – Spain
Maria Mendez – Angola
Dina Cormik – South Africa
Lorie Bwambole – South Africa
Mirta Moragas – Paraguay
Jenny Davison – Australia
Martha Escobar- Nicaragua
Gabierla de Cicco – Argentina
Ireen Debel – Netherlands
Tamie Molose – South Africa
Élie Roy – Canada
Susana Klien – UK
Nlomboomko Kraa – South Africa
Francine Beril – Canada
Kerei Maleeiye – Zimbabwe
Linn Lukschandl – Guatemala
Mamasi Samadde – India
Cate Owner – USA
Jn. Schuneele – Germany
Zohna A. Baso – Indonesia
Charlotte Yong – South Africa
Katrina Anderson – USA
Ximena Andía – USA
Karina Carmin – USA
Rutrh Mirembe – Uganda
Phindi Mahaza – South Africa
Namfudo Xotyeni – South Africa
Pegy Antrobus – Barbados
Fatomma Boulacar – Nigeria
Magaronla Namfadia – Guinea
Andrianaconitsoa Vonifaiye – Madagascar
Amina Ahmed – Madagascar
Cassandra Balchin – UK
Nurhasdioma- UK
Laila Juari – Indonesia
Miranda La Rose – Guyana
Ma. Eugenia Romero – Mexico
Leticia Cuevas – Mexico
Pilar Muriedas – Mexico
Ximena Machicao – Bolivia
Amelia Jiménez – Mexico
Helena Neves – Angola
Leatarina Lernando – Angola
Piera Zuccherin – Mozambique
Evelyn Letiyo – Uganda
Salha Fode Maizama – Nigeria
Wanda Nowrcka – Poland
Abu Obaid Huda – Israel
Daniela Montague – Australia
Diantelle Mallenbach – South Africa
Jean Kemitae – Uganda
Melissa Hoskins – USA
Isabel Chimbya – Zimbabwe
Yalinda Rodríguez – Angola
Patria Mulwndade – Zambia
Samah Said – Egiypt
Eleanor Kilroy – UK
Anne Kdedsi – Togo
Djamila Andrade – Mozambique
Ina Hume – Bangladesh
Maymouna Drop – Senegal
Allison Huggins – USA
Anna Meckesheimer – Germany
Asmais Yola – Nigeria
Maureen Gabuza – Swaziland
Mabel Bianco – Argentina
Mabel Guberra – Argentina
Elena Reynoga – Argentina
Areej Dáfari – Palestine
Evelyn Flores – Nicaragua
Maheen Sultan – Bangladesh
Ilse Akrends – South Africa
Ana Luisa Ahern – USA
Lucía Lagunes – Mexico
Demetri López – USA
Nilsa Nerciso – Mozambique
Jean Mweele – Zambia
Marusia López – Mexico
Marge Nederveen – Netherlands
Loeky Droesen – Netherlands
Deepali Ghelani – India
Angela Heimburger – USA
Lindiwe Bardiu – South Africa
Aidé García – Mexico
Deepa Shankaran – Canada
Dileh Hattatoglu – Turkey
Nigusr Khan – Pakistan
Cecilia Olea – Peru
Silvia Borselino - Argentina
Verónica Ochoa – Argentina
Amalia Fischer – Brazil
Ana Cristina González – Colombia
Beatriz Quintero – Colombia
Marta Alanís- Argentina
Liliana Montes Bermúdez – Colombia
Sara Mandujano – Chile
Alice Miller – USA
Daptnhe Cuevas – Mexico
Cecilia Alemany – Uruguay
Aliberl Pizarro – Panama
Cindy Clark – USA
Erika Guevara - USA
Katia Uriona – Bolivia
Teresa Lanza – Bolivia
Tania Nava Bengoa – Bolivia
Silvia Juliá – Argentina
Janneth Lozano – Colombia
Sandra Mazo – Colombia
Axela Romero Cárdenas – Mexico
Nayeli Yoval – Mexico
María José Rosado – Brazil
Paula Condrac – Argentina
Lucila Puyol – Argentina
Ma. Consuelo Mejía – Mexico
Patricia Patiño – Mexico
Ma. Luisa Sánchez – Mexico
Gloria Careaga – Mexico
Laura Aguirre – Argentina
Ma. Eugenia Romero – Mexico
Alejandra Scampini – Uruguay
Norma Sanchís – Argentina
Marcela Rueda – USA