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Argentina's Abortion Laws will not be Modernised


A bid to modernise Argentina’s abortion laws has been shot down by lawmakers.
The proposed bill would have permitted women to terminate their pregnancy within the first 14 weeks of conception.
But after more than 15 hours debating, Argentinian senators voted overwhelmingly against relaxing the law.
31 voted in favour of legalising abortion, and 38 voted against.
Pro-choice activists had high hopes for the bills passing. It had already been agreed by Congress, and Argentina’s president, Mauricio Macri had already agreed to sign it.
Currently, the procedure is permitted- but only in extreme cases of rape, or if there is a risk to a woman’s health. These loopholes will remain in place following yesterday’s vote.
During the debate, Senator Mario Fiad said that any loosening of the current abortion bill would mean that the right to life is becoming the ‘weakest of rights’- He called the act of abortion- ‘tragic’.
Opposition senators in the courtroom debating in favour of abortion, felt that forbidding the act only leads to illegal procedures.
Since 1983, Argentina has had to bury 3000 women, who have died of complications following illegal abortion procedures.
Despite initially disapproving of abortion, Senator Pedro Guastavino thinks that this is reason alone to legalize the procedure. ‘The only way to understand this is through the point of view of Public health.’  
Medics across the country have been staging protests, both for, and against women’s choice.
In one instance, hundreds of medics standing against abortion lay down their white coats outside the presidential palace.
This split in opinion spans the nation. The majority of residents practise Catholicism, and Argentina is the homeland of Pope Francis.
It has been thoroughly divided by the bid to loosen abortion rights for women.
Crowds of anti-abortion demonstrators celebrated outside Congress- throughout the night, after the verdict was realised.
On the flipside, pro-choice campaigners were devastated by the result. Demoralised, some activists hurled bottles post-vote.
The latest vote has reignited the abortion debate across Latin America- where strict laws on abortion are still prevalent due to the high catholic populations.
In Brazil, abortion carries with it a jail sentence of three years. Barring instances of rape, if the foetus is braindead, or if the mother is endangered by the pregnancy.
Last year, Chile approved a bill to ease the abortion ban- allowing abortion in certain circumstances, much the same as Brazil.
This loosening of legislation is considered a triumph in Chile, but illegal abortions are still rife- with complications occurring at a high rate, and a 5 year sentence in place if the women are caught.
Pockets of protesters scattered Latin America following Argentina’s failed bid- to voice support for those in Argentina that are fighting for their rights to choose. 

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