Nicaragua's ban on abortion 'compels rape and incest victims to give birth'

[Peikko 1,575]

Nicaragua's ban on all abortions, even when a woman's life is at risk, is compelling incest and rape victims to give birth and contributing to an increase in maternal deaths, according to a report from Amnesty International.

Delegates from the human rights charity, who recently visited the predominantly Catholic country, say young girls subjected to sexual violence by family or friends are forced to give birth even when they are carrying their own brothers and sisters.

The report also says the law has led to a recorded rise in pregnant teenagers committing suicide by consuming poison.

Official figures show 33 girls and women died in pregnancy in the past year, compared to 20 in the previous year, it says. But the numbers are feared to be greater as the government itself has acknowleged incidents of maternal deaths are under-recorded.

Abortion was a key issue for the 2006 presidential election, won by former Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega. The former revolutionary, who once supported abortion rights, mobilised his supporters behind a campaign for a blanket ban on terminations, which was signed into law just before he took office.

Previous to that, "therapeutic" abortions were allowed in certain circumstances where continuation of the pregnancy was life-threatening.

The new penal code, introduced in July last year, enshrined the criminalisation of abortion, regardless of circumstance, with prison sentences for women who undergo abortions, and the medical staff who help them.

It also introduced criminal sanctions for doctors and nurses who treat a pregnant woman or girl for illnesses such as cancer, malaria, HIV/Aids or cardiac emergencies if such treatment could cause injury to or lead to the death of the embryo or foetus.

"There is only one way to describe what we have seen in Nicaragua ‑ sheer horror," Kate Gilmore, Amnesty International's executive deputy secretary general, told a press conference in Mexico City. "Children are being compelled to bear children. Pregnant women are being denied essential life saving medical care."

She added: "What alternatives is this government offering a 10-year-old pregnant as a result of rape? And a cancer sufferer who is denied life-saving treatment just because she is pregnant, while she has other children waiting at home?"

Amnesty said the law goes as far as punishing girls and women who have suffered a miscarriage, as in many cases it is impossible to distinguish spontaneous from induced abortions.

The charity is calling for the immediate repeal of the penal code, and a guarantee of safe and accessible abortion services for rape victims and women whose lives or health would be at risk from the continuation of pregnancy. It also wants protection for those who speak out against the law, and "comprehensive" support to be given to women and girls affected by it.

The report, The total abortion ban in Nicaragua: Women's lives and health endangered, medical professionals criminalised claims the law is in conflict with the Nicaraguan obstetric rules and protocols issued by the ministry of health, which mandates therapeutic abortions in specific cases.

The church has been seen as a powerful force behind the ban in a country where an estimated 85% of the population is Catholic. Just 3% of the world's countries, including El Salvador and Chile, have such an absolute ban in place.

Link

Edited July 28, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[Peikko 1,575]

I know these issues are difficult, of course they are. However, it does seem to me to be problamatic to choose the life of the feotus above the life of the mother particularly in cases of illness - that just seems extreme and unecessary.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

I know these issues are difficult, of course they are. However, it does seem to me to be problamatic to choose the life of the feotus above the life of the mother particularly in cases of illness - that just seems extreme and unecessary.

imo the life of the mother first, then the baby.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Don't worry, Obama the Socialist will take care of it.

[Danno 1,228]

So what does that make it....

1 country not enough abortion

200 countries with way to much abortion.

I hear some of your logic it just seems a little drowned out by the massive number of countries on the -other side of the scale-

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Nicaragua sounds like a lovely place.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Nicaragua sounds like a lovely place.

Especially cuz theres no "HOPE"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Nicaragua sounds like a lovely place.

Pro-Life paradise. If those fanatics would have it their way, the US would look just like it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Nicaragua sounds like a lovely place.

Especially cuz theres no "HOPE"

No - because they place barbaric restrictions on the freedoms of pregnant women.

Check *YOUR* Obama obsession at the door.

[Peikko 1,575]

Danno, Marc, looking at how women can be abused when abortion is compltely barred how do you view the idea of a compete ban? Does it inspire in you confidence that it is in the best interests of society?

If so, how do you explain the plight of women who could be treated for their illness but who instead suffer imensely not both in terms of physically but also mentally in order to preserve the integrity of every fetus? Is this just a case of, so sad too bad, pray to your maker?

Edited July 28, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I must say, as sad as it is; this same ####### happens in MX all the time. Rape and abuse victims rarely report, specially among the lower classes. When they do, they are usually assaulted once more by the pro-life MoFos (how do they manage to be tipped off is anyone's guess; maybe they have nothing better to do that waltz around trauma centers to harrass rape or incest victim)s, who scare them to death and voila: another child of rape is born. Sickening #######.

[HAL 9000 96]

Daniel Ortega... freaking nutjob.

[Danno 1,228]

Danno, Marc, looking at how women can be abused when abortion is compltely barred how do you view the idea of a compete ban? Does it inspire in you confidence that it is in the best interests of society?

If so, how do you explain the plight of women who could be treated for their illness but who instead suffer imensely not both in terms of physically but also mentally in order to preserve the integrity of every fetus? Is this just a case of, so sad too bad, pray to your maker?

Simply put, I have not ever been in favor of a total ban.

Certainly the life of the mother is one exception and there might be others.