San Jose Articles interrupt strategic push for Abortion in Uruguay

By Timothy Herrmann | November 23, 2011

A recent attempt in Uruguay to “decriminalize” abortion was thwarted last week when the legislative majority was unable to build consensus within the senate on their proposed legislation. The legislation was rejected by the Colorado party’s Fernando Amado who refused to join consensus and cited his party’s support for the San Jose Articles, an international expert document which affirms that human life begins at conception.

The left leaning Frente Amplio’s initiative to place the bill before the senate’s health committee was spearheaded by Senator Mónica Xavier and called for the decriminalization of abortion within the first trimester. The stated intent of the bill was not to “legalize” abortion but rather to prevent women from being “criminalized” for having had one. Even so, it is easy to see past the rhetoric and recognize that the law would have legalized abortion within the first trimester even if it “protected” the mother from prosecution.

The San Jose Articles could not have been introduced at a more crucial time in Uruguayan politics.

Interesting side note: The Uruguayan soccer superstar Edinson Cavani, together with over 30 other important personalties and experts in Uruguayan society, gave his full support to the San Jose Articles and called for others to join him in their effort to fight back the false claim that abortion is a human right.

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter