Constitutional Court of Colombia could modify the current rules on abortion

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Click here to share on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window)
• Click to email a friend (Opens in a new window)

Colombia: controversy over abortion for women with 7 months of gestation 3:29

(CNN Spanish) - Judge Alejandro Linares filed a speech on Tuesday in the Constitutional Court that would allow decriminalizing abortion in any case before the 16 weeks of gestation.

The thesis of the magistrate is in response to two lawsuits against a ruling of that judicial body that in 2006 decriminalized abortion in three cases: when there is a malformation of the fetus, when it is the result of a violation or when the health and life of The pregnant mother.

Now the full Court will study the presentation of Linares and decide whether to accept or maintain the current regulations as is. The legal discussion, originated in the demands of lawyer Natalia Bernal, divides public opinion and is a topic of discussion on social networks.

• A legal abortion seven months pregnant unleashes controversy in Colombia

Sapling in Bogotá against the decriminalization of abortion on February 19, 2020.

Groups that are against abortion have made demonstrations against the possibility of expanding the possibility of decriminalizing it.

Other sectors that in the past promoted the current norms abortion maintain that it is the woman who must have total freedom of decision to interrupt or not the pregnancy, without having criminal consequences.

The final ruling in the Court could be issued in the coming days, after several analyzes of the magistrates at the presentation of Linares and after hearing the opinion of public health experts, academics and lawyers.

In her claim allegation, lawyer Bernal argues that the law must protect the rights of the fetus from its conception.

The debate, which includes religious, political, ethical and legal issues, has become more relevant for a case of a 22-year-old woman who decided to legally abort having seven months pregnant in the city of Popayán a few weeks ago. In this case, the woman had the medical and psychological endorsement to undergo the procedure for allegedly affecting the emotional stability of the pregnant woman.

Various political sectors have also taken part in the discussion for and against abortion, in a country of Catholic majorities. Therefore, it is anticipated that the decision adopted by the Court could generate manifestations of sectors that feel their interests and positions on this issue are affected.

Abortion in Colombia