Colombian govt proposes decriminalizing abortion .

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Colombia Reports

Colombian govt proposes decriminalizing abortion .
Thursday, 20 September 2012 15:53 Caitlin Trent

The Colombian government is planning to propose Congress to approve legislation that would allow a "broad decriminlization" of abortion, the country's Justice Ministry said Thursday.

Abortion is currently only legal in instances of rape, when the pregnancy endangers the mother's life, or if the child has extreme birth defects.

Following a recent push towards a more conservative approach initiated by the Inspector General Alejandro Ordoñez', Minister Ruth Stella Correa and a number of coalition lawmakers showed interest in allowing women more freedoms related to abortion instead.

"It is beyond doubt that to avoid clandestine abortions and amplify the rights of women, Colombia needs a much broader decriminalization than the current [legislation] that allows the voluntary interruption of pregnancy," a document posted on the Justice Ministry's website said.

Read more: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/26121-colombia-govt-proposes-decriminalizing-abortion.html

[left coaster]

1. Wow, great news! Colombia is moving towards decency, on this issue.. while, meanwhile, back home..nt

[Judi Lynn]

2. Abortion is not a crime: Colombia Senate President .

Abortion is not a crime: Colombia Senate President .
Friday, 21 September 2012 12:16 Caitlin Trent

Colombia's Senate President stated Friday that he "is absolutely certain that abortion is not a crime."

Newspaper El Espectador posted the taped interview of Senator Roy Barreras who went on to say, "the crime of abortion that is now in the Criminal Code is not only outdated and unfair to many women, but highly improbable."

The Senate President of the more conservative U Party affirmed on his own website that he hopes "abortion in all cases, will not be penalized in Colombia."

Barreras' comments caught on video clearly support his stance on the legalization of abortion, which is currently only allowed in Colombia in cases of rape, danger to the mother's life, or in the case that the child will be born with severe defects.

His opinion not only as a Senator, but as a physician, is that there is a clear difference between early embryonic stages and fetal gestation, therefore medically supporting abortion in the early stages of pregnancy.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/26137-abortion-is-not-a-crime-colombia-senate-president.html