Colombia's high court docket on Monday dominated to decriminalize abortion throughout the first 24 weeks of being pregnant, marking what advocates say is a "triumph for human rights."
Abortion has been allowed in Colombia since 2006, however just for three circumstances: when it poses a danger to the life or well being of the one that is pregnant, there are life-threatening fetal points, or when the being pregnant is a results of rape, incest, or non-consensual synthetic insemination.
In a 5-4 ruling Monday, the court docket permitted the decriminalization for roughly the primary half of being pregnant. After 24 weeks, the nation will proceed to solely enable abortions within the aforementioned eventualities.
Colombia is simply the newest nation in Latin America to decriminalize abortion. Argentina legalized abortion as much as the 14th week of being pregnant in December 2020, and Mexico's Supreme Courtroom dominated that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional final September. Based on the Middle for Reproductive Rights, Uruguay, Guyana, and French Guiana are different areas in Latin and South America to decriminalize abortion.
Erika Guevara-Ross, Americas director at Amnesty Worldwide, stated in an announcement that the ruling is a "historic victory" for Colombian girls, who've "fought for many years for the popularity of their rights."
Based on the human rights group, abortion entry within the nation is unequal and restricted. The group estimates that there are roughly 400,000 abortions carried out yearly in Colombia — the vast majority of that are carried out illegally. Lower than 10% of the procedures are believed to be carried out legally, the group stated.
Most of those that obtain unlawful abortions are reported to be dwelling in rural areas, and nearly a 3rd are survivors of home violence, sexual violence or private harm, Amnesty Worldwide stated.
"Ladies, ladies and folks capable of bear kids are the one ones who ought to make selections about their our bodies," Guevara-Ross stated. "Now, as a substitute of punishing them, the Colombian authorities must acknowledge their autonomy over their our bodies and their life plans."
She stated the Colombian court docket's ruling is the newest instance of "the unstoppable momentum of the inexperienced tide in Latin America." Inexperienced has turn into the colour synonymous with the abortion rights motion within the area.
"We won't cease combating till the sexual and reproductive rights of all girls, ladies and folks capable of bear kids are acknowledged in the whole continent, with out exception," Guevara-Ross added."
Lots of of individuals carrying inexperienced have been seen celebrating the authorized victory within the streets on Monday.
"I could not be happier!" one individual stated.