Colombia decriminalizes abortion
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that abortion should be decriminalized up to 24 weeks’ gestation, i24 News reports. The court made its decision after rights groups filed suit for abortion on demand to be legalized.
Colombia now joins fellow Latin American countries Mexico and Ecuador in their recent decisions to allow access to abortion; Colombia’s law aligns with similar legislation in non-Catholic countries such as the United Kingdom.
Prior to 2006, abortion in Colombia was totally illegal, with no exceptions. This total ban was ultimately deemed unconstitutional and in 2006 the law changed to allow abortion in cases of rape, fatal fetal deformity, or for the health of the woman, without any time limits.
The court specified that the 24-week time limit does not apply to cases of rape, fetal deformity, or the health of the woman. The court also stated that Colombia’s government must protect the rights of pregnant women, and help to facilitate adoptions.
Prior to Monday’s ruling, around 90 percent of abortions in Colombia were carried out illegally. Between 2006 and 2019, around 350 women in Colombia were convicted or penalized for abortions. These included at least 80 girls under the age of 18, i24 News reported.
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