Abortion rights up for debate but once more in Argentina

On Thursday, Argentine lawmakers started discussions on a invoice that may legalize abortion, opening one other spherical of bitter debate within the predominantly Catholic Latin American nation.

Ruling occasion lawmakers despatched the invoice to the decrease home for approval. If over half of the 257 lawmakers approve it in a vote anticipated on Friday, the invoice could be handed to the Senate for permission earlier than changing into legislation.

The invoice was backed by President Alberto Fernandez, who promised to push for the legalization of abortion throughout his election marketing campaign final yr.

Two years in the past, throughout former President Mauricio Macri’s authorities, the Senate voted in opposition to an identical invoice to legalize abortion after the decrease home narrowly permitted it.

Latin America has among the world’s most prohibitive abortion legal guidelines. Mexico Metropolis, together with Uruguay and Cuba, are among the many few locations within the area the place girls can endure abortions in the course of the first 12 weeks of being pregnant whatever the conditions.

On Thursday, abortion rights and anti-abortion rioters gathered in separate, assigned areas underneath tight safety.