A group of women hangs a poster to celebrate the decriminalization of abortion in the Supreme Court of Justice of Saltillo (Coahuila), this Tuesday. DANIEL BECERRIL / Reuters
After the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) declared the crime of abortion in Coahuila unconstitutional, the State Government, headed by Miguel Riquelme, said through a statement that local legislation will be adapted to the criteria of the highest Court not to criminalize any woman for having an abortion.
The State Penal Code establishes in its article 195 and 196 that commits abortion for criminal purposes "who causes death to the product of conception, at any time of pregnancy" and stipulates penalties of one to three years in prison for whoever commits such a crime. .
After the decision of the magistrates of the Court unanimously, the articles are invalidated and therefore, they will cease to exist in the law of the State.
"The threat of prison on women and stigma is banished," said the speaker, Luis María Aguilar.
More information
The right to abortion in Mexico: a progressive victory
As there are 10 votes in the same sense, the decision of the SCJN creates jurisprudence and will be retroactive for any woman who is imprisoned for having an abortion. This newspaper has contacted the Government of Coahuila to find out how many women are imprisoned for this reason, but until the time of publication of this information, it has not received a response. "If there is any woman deprived of her liberty for the crime of abortion, she must be released immediately," the statement said.
All entities of the Republic must abide by the criteria issued by the Court that establishes that no woman can be punished for interrupting her pregnancy.
"The State Executive reiterates its commitment to strengthen respect for human rights and freedoms, and will continue to promote public policies in favor of women's rights, as well as respect for life," concludes the Coahuila document, one of the the most restrictive and punitive states regarding abortion to date.
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