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October 26, 2006
Nicaragua's National Assembly
The Nicaraguan National Assembly (its chamber pictured here) voted Oct. 26 to abolish therapeutic abortion and therefore ban all abortions.
Photo courtesy of Panos Pictures.

With a vote of 59-0, members of the Nicaraguan National Assembly voted to outlaw abortion under any circumstance by repealing Article 165 of the Penal Code.  Article 165 allowed for “therapeutic abortions” if a woman’s life was in danger.  Nicaragua becomes only the third nation in the Western Hemisphere to outlaw abortion entirely, joining Chile and El Salvador.

Twenty-nine members of the 90-seat National Assembly were not present for the vote, and two members abstained. 

“I am appalled by this action,” said Elizabeth Maguire, president of Ipas.  “But this vote will not be the end of the story — the battle has just begun.”

Today’s vote came at the behest of Catholic and evangelical church leaders who pushed for the legislation in advance of the Nov. 5 presidential and National Assembly elections, holding legislators hostage to their vote on the bill.  Representatives of the Catholic Church were permitted to observe the proceedings, while members of the Women’s Autonomous Movement were physically barred from the assembly. 

“We are outraged that leaders who claim to stand for the poor and marginalized would vote in favor of a law that condemns women to die like this,” said Marta María Blandón, Director of Ipas Central America and member of the Women’s Autonomous Movement.  “Women’s lives are worth more.”

The Nicaraguan Women’s Autonomous Movement led the significant opposition to the bill and has vowed to continue fighting.  They plan to file a suit before the Nicaraguan Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the legislation. 

The women’s movement received support from Nicaragua’s health and human rights communities.  The Minister of Health issued a statement objecting to the legislation, noting the absence of any consultation with medical experts.

For more information, contact:
Kirsten Sherk
Senior Associate, Media Relations
e-mail: sherkk@ipas.org
phone: 919.960.5612
fax: 919.929.0258