Death or imprisonment? El Salvador's strict antiabortion law
More than 600 women have been imprisoned since El Salvador's 1998 abortion legislation was enacted. The case of a mother with severe health complications has brought the debate to the fore.
More than 600 women have been imprisoned since El Salvador's 1998 abortion legislation was enacted. The case of a mother with severe health complications has brought the debate to the fore.
鈥� A version of this post ran on the author's blog. The views expressed are the author's own.
El Salvador has one of the strictest anti-abortion laws in the world. El Salvador outlaws abortion for any reason. There are no exceptions for rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. Moreover, El Salvador arrests and imprisons women who have abortions, sometime charging them with murder and sending them to prison for thirty years.
A 2012 report from the Central American Women's Network details the status of maternal and reproductive health in El Salvador.
The human consequences of that law are in abundantly clear today in a single case. The Huffington Post has this article on a case highlighted by Amnesty International:
Salon reports that Beatriz's hospital petitioned El Salvador's Supreme Court a month ago but is still awaiting a ruling on the matter.
鈥淏eatriz鈥檚 situation is desperate and must not wait any longer. Her very chances of survival depend on a decision from the authorities,鈥� Esther Major, Amnesty International鈥檚 researcher on Central America, said in a statement. 鈥淭he delay is nothing short of cruel and inhuman."
Amnesty International has organized an urgent campaign to get messages of support for Beatriz to Salvadoran authorities.
鈥�聽Tim Muth聽covers the news and politics of El Salvador on his blog.