Chile Court Paves Way for Legalization of Abortion in Some Cases
- Chile was one of few countries that penalized all abortions
- Bill ready to be signed into law by President Bachelet
Activists holding placards supporting abortion rights take part in a demonstration in Santiago, on July 25, 2017.
Photographer: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Chile’s Constitutional Court approved a bill legalizing abortion in some cases following two years of heated debate in Congress, overturning a complete ban put in place by former dictator Augusto Pinochet.
The court voted six to four to allow abortions in the case of rape, fetal inviability and if the mother’s life is at risk, rejecting an appeal by opposition lawmakers. The bill is now ready to be signed into law by President Michelle Bachelet, according to a tweet by the Health Ministry.