Mexico removes federal penalties for abortion

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Pro-abortion demonstrators marched in Mexico. Associated Press/Photo by Marco Ugarte

Mexico removes federal penalties for abortion

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Mexico overturned a national law that carried criminal penalties for abortions. Under the ruling, the federal health service and federal health institutions will be required to perform abortions. Pro-life demonstrators gathered outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday to pray for the predominantly Roman Catholic country. Pro-life activists plan to continue to fight against expanded access to abortions, said Irma Barrientos, director of the Civil Association for the Rights of the Conceived.

Is this trend widespread? Several other Latin American countries, including Colombia and Argentina, have also legalized abortion in recent years. Mexico City decriminalized abortion in 2007, and about a dozen states have passed similar laws. About 20 Mexican states still have laws protecting babies from abortion.

Dig deeper: Listen to Leah Savas’ report on The World and Everything in It podcast about how women are ordering abortion pills online.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.