News

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

QUERETARO, Mexico, May 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Mexican state of Queretaro has rejected a bill that would have guaranteed access to abortions not currently penalized under state law.

The measure, which was proposed by a member of the socialist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), would have mandated that “the Public Ministry (District Attorney) will give authorization [for an abortion] within 24 hours counted from the time that the woman, the legal representative, or the victim submits a request for the interruption of pregnancy, when it is a product of a rape and a crime report exists or if it is the product of non-consensual artificial insemination.”

It was rejected 12-8 by the conservative National Action Party, which holds a majority in the Queretaro legislature.

Although abortions in cases of rape do not carry a criminal punishment in Queretaro and other Mexican states, women are normally unable to receive a green light from authorities to have their unborn children killed, due to the strong pro-life sentiment that permeates Mexican society.

Critics said that the legislation in question would have allowed a woman merely to claim she was raped, without proving the charge, in order to receive permission within 24 hours to receive an abortion. Similar legislation is being promoted by pro-abortion groups in other states.

PRD legislators are promoting various bills to legalize abortion in Mexico’s 31 states, following its approval in the nation’s Federal District, Mexico City, in 2007.  However, to date their efforts have failed, and have resulted in a backlash of pro-life constitutional amendments designed to prevent a future weakening of state pro-life laws.

Related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Two More Mexican States Approve Pro-Life Constitutional Amendments by Heavy Majorities
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042705.html

Two More Mexican States Pass Pro-Life Amendments by Overwhelming Majorities
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041415.html

Mexican State of Puebla Approves Pro-Life Amendment to Constitution
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031601.html

Mexican Supreme Court Issues Decision Protecting Ability of States to Restrict Abortion
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030512.html

Abortion Legalization Initiatives Die in Mexico’s State Legislatures
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030213.html

Mexican State of Colima Amends Constitution to Protect Right to Life from Conception, 19-0
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09021811.html

Pro-Abortion Forces Sue to Overturn State Pro-Life Amendment in Mexican Supreme Court
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09013008.html

Mexican State of Sonora Passes Pro-Life Constitutional Amendment
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08102213.html