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Women’s rights groups in Colombia applauded the decision of the country’s Constitutional Court, which criminalized abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy. Dozens of activists who gathered outside the court complex reacted with hugs and victory signs. They were also seen raising slogans and showing banners and placards. However, the nine-judge tribunal’s decision fell short of expectations from pro-groups pushing for making abortion completely non-criminal in Colombia. According to a report, every year around 400,000 women have covert abortions in the country. Prior to the latest decision, abortion was allowed in Colombia only if a woman’s life was in danger, there were fetal malformations, or a pregnancy resulted from rape. After this historic decision, women will be able to have an abortion without any restriction till the 24th week of their pregnancy. “We were trying to make abortion completely free of crime… but it’s still a historic step,” said Christina Rosero, an attorney at the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights. In Colombia, women who get illegal abortions can face up to three years in prison.
(Reuters)
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