Colombia judges split on removing abortion from penal code
January 20, 2022
7:42 PM CST
Last Updated 2 hours ago
Americas
By Julia Symmes Cobb
2 minute read
BOGOTA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Eight judges from Colombia's constitutional court were evenly split on Thursday over whether abortion should be eliminated from the penal code, the coalition of pro-choice groups which brought the long-running lawsuit said.
Abortion was partially legalized in Colombia under a 2006 ruling that allows it in cases of rape, fatal fetal deformity, and health of the mother.
Pro-choice groups estimate that around 90% of abortions in the Andean country take place clandestinely.
A coalition of more than 90 pro-choice organizations, Causa Justa, brought the suit in 2020, saying prosecutions of women who sought or obtained abortions worsen stigma and scare potential patients, even in cases when one of the three legal conditions applies.
More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombia-judges-split-removing-abortion-penal-code-2022-01-21/
