World News – USA – Draft law to legalize abortion in home of Pope Argentina passed

. . Argentina is the largest Latin American country to legalize abortion and the vote was watched closely.

CAMEROON MAGAZINE - GM30/12/20203 Mins read44 Views

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30th. December 2020 / 8:07 am
/ AP

The Argentine Senate passed a law early Wednesday after a 12-hour marathon session legalizing abortion in Pope Francis’ home country. This is a victory for the women’s movement that has fought for the law for decades. The vote means that the abortion will be carried out by Aug.. Week of pregnancy is legalized and after this time it is also legal in the event of rape or danger to the mother’s life. It will have an impact on a continent where the process is largely illegal.

The measure was passed by 38 votes in favor, 29 against and one abstention after a meeting that began late Tuesday.

It has already been approved by the Argentine Chamber of Deputies and is backed by President Alberto Fernández, which means the Senate vote was the final hurdle.

« Safe, legal and free abortion is the law now, » Fernández tweeted after the vote, noting that it was an election promise.

« Today we are a better society that expands women’s rights and guarantees public health, » he added.

Argentina is the largest Latin American country to legalize abortion and the vote was watched closely. With the exception of Uruguay, Cuba, Mexico City, the Mexican state of Oaxaca, the West Indies, and French Guiana, abortion is largely illegal throughout the region.

Activists for and against abortion rights gathered outside the Senate, with those in favor of the law wearing the color green, which represents their abortion rights movement. Supporters waved green flags as Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who chaired the debate, announced the outcome and shouted « legal abortion in hospital » as the measure passed.

Argentina has so far punished women and those who help them abort. The only exceptions were cases of rape or maternal health risk, and activists complain that even these exceptions are not respected in some provinces.

Just hours before Tuesday’s Senate session began, the Pope weighed and tweeted, « The Son of God was born an outcast to tell us that every outcast is a child of God. He was born when every child is born weak and vulnerable so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love. «

The Son of God was born an outcast to tell us that every outcast is a child of God. He was born when every child is born weak and vulnerable so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love.

A previous abortion draft was rejected by the Argentine legislature in 2018, but this time supported by the center-left government. However, the outcome of the last vote was still considered uncertain. This was partly due to the fact that the political parties, including the ruling Peronist movement, gave their lawmakers the freedom to choose as they wished. Two of the 72 senators were absent and 43 of the remaining 70 senators were men.

Argentina’s feminist movement has been calling for legal abortion for more than 30 years, and activists say approval of the law could mark a turning point in Latin America, where the influence of the Roman Catholic Church has long dominated.

« Our country is a country of many contradictions, » said Ester Albarello, a psychiatrist with a network of health professionals who supports the bill and was among the protesters outside the convention building. « It is the only one in the world that has brought members of its genocidal military dictatorship to justice with all guarantees. But we still don’t have a legal abortion. Why? Because the church is with the state. «

Also outside the legislature, a group that calls its members « Defenders of Two Lives » erected an altar with a crucifix under a blue tent.

Opponents of the bill, separated from their supporters by a barrier, watched gloomily as the vote unfolded.

« These politicians do not represent the majority, » said opponent Luciana Prat, an Argentine flag on her shoulders. « In all the polls, people are against it. «

Proponents said the bill aims to eradicate the clandestine abortions, which authorities say has been more than 3 weeks since 1983. Have caused 000 deaths in the country.

In addition to allowing an abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, legislation will also stipulate that pregnancy can be legally terminated after this period if it was the result of rape or if the life or health of the person changes found caution.

It will enable the scrupulous refusal to have an abortion for health professionals and private medical facilities where all doctors are against the procedure. However, you will need to refer the woman to another medical center. Conscientious objection could also not be invoked if the life or health of a pregnant woman was in danger.

First published on 30. December 2020 / 8:07 am