By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
BUENOS AIRES, June 6, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – After receiving the approval of two congressional committees, a bill to legalize abortion in Argentina has advanced to the full Chamber of Deputies, the nation’s lower legislative body.
If passed the legislation would decriminalize abortion and ensure its provision for all women without restrictions during the first trimester of pregnancy. However the time limit is waived in cases of rape, fetal deformities, and danger to life or health, allowing abortions in such cases up to the ninth month of gestation.
The legislation, which has languished in congressional committees for years, was formally introduced to the full Chamber by socialist Deputy Silvia Augsburger, on May 28. Augsburger has been the Chamber’s most outspoken and active proponent of abortion decriminalization.
On the same day, pro-abortion forces in Argentina began a new campaign that will last until September 28, with the slogans “sexual education to decide, contraceptives to avoid abortion, legal abortion to avoid death”. The last item highlights the unsubstantiated claim that outlawing abortion contributes to maternal mortality (see LifeSiteNews coverage at https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/feb/06022008.html).
Campaign members said that their major opponent in the fight against the right to life in Argentina is the Catholic Church, whose bishops have shown a willingness in recent years to take a strong stand against abortion decriminalization.
One activist in the campaign, Syliva Borsellino, told the newspaper Diario de Cuyo that the pro-abortion movement faces particular opposition in the north of Argentina, “where the power of the Church, added to a conservative culture” makes it difficult to achieve their policy goals.
Clear stances by Church authorities have lead to recent pro-life victories in Argentina, including a pro-life declaration by the government of its largest province, Buenos Aires, and the defeat of abortion decriminalization in the province of La Pampa.
Although the abortion decriminalization bill is moving successfully through the Congress, the exact role of the administration of President Kristina Fernandez de Kirchner remains in question. Although she claims to be pro-life, her administration and political coalition have behaved somewhat ambiguously with regard to the legislation.
Late last year Fernandez de Kirchner discontinued her husband’s policy of supporting the bill, provoking outrage from Augsburger and from pro-abortion allies. But in recent months, elements of her coalition in the Congress have promoted the legislation, although the majority have not endorsed it.
Estela Díaz, of the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe, and Free Abortion, noted in a recent interview with Argenpress that the administration has given “contradictory signals” on human life and family issues.
“It was said that the abortion legislation wouldn’t advance, but Deputy Juliana Marino and other legislators tied to the administration are promoting a bill that standardizes the reasons for non-punishable abortions, and obtained the approval of two committees,” said Díaz.
Diaz also claimed that the majority bloc, dominated by Fernández de Kirchner’s coalition, was seeking an agreement to pass the legislation.
However, Díaz acknowledged that Fernandez de Kirchner’s health minister, Graciela Ocaña, has been unfriendly to the pro-abortion cause. Despite her pro-abortion past, Ocaña rejected the idea of decriminalizing abortion in statements made in January following her appointment, provoking outrage from Augusburger.
Previous LifeSiteNews Coverage:
Argentina to Vote on Legalization of Abortion
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08032003.html
Government of Argentina’s Largest Province Declares Itself “Pro-Life”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08041814.html
Argentine President’s Administration Urges Parliament to Legalize Abortion, Homosexual “Marriage”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08031803.html
New Argentine Health Minister Gives Indications of Pro-Life Position
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jan/08011003.html
President-Elect of Argentina Cancels Pro-Abortion Legislation
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07120706.html
Bishop Leads Protest March Against Legalization of Abortion in Argentina
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07120501.html
Catholic Attorneys Ask for Veto of Abortion Law in Argentina
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07121111.html
President-Elect of Argentina Defends Pro-Abortion Position and Favors “Sexual Choice”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/oct/07103001.html