Mexico Supreme Court Decriminalises Abortion

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The Supreme Court of Mexico has decriminalised abortion and has ruled that criminal penalties on terminating pregnancies are unconstitutional, in the state of Coahuila.

About:

• This ruling was meant for northern state of Coahuila. It now prevents women from being prosecuted for abortion.
• Currently, abortion is severely restricted in four of the states in Mexico. It is also legal in cases of rape or where mother’s life is in danger.
• Thus, this decision could pave way to decriminalise abortion across Mexico.
• Under Mexican law, this ruling will now apply to all the other states in the country.
• With this ruling, women who were jailed for having abortions will now be released, with immediate effect.

Campaign for abortion rights

Information Group on Reproductive Choice (GIRE) was campaigning for abortion rights in the country.  High profile protests by feminist and women’s rights campaigners have highlighted the need for greater reproductive rights.

Background

Before this ruling, the state of Coahuila used to punish women, who have illegal abortions, with jail terms of up to three years.

Abortion in Mexico

Abortion was a legal demand in country. Its legal status varied with respective state. However, Mexican Supreme court ruled on September 7, 2021 that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional and ordered to decriminalize it across the entire country. Procedure of abortion is available on request to any woman up to twelve weeks into a pregnancy in Mexico City as well as in states of Oaxaca, Veracruz and Hidalgo.