A Dark Day in Chile As Court Approves Abortion

Jonathan Abbamonte
Population Research Institute

A bill legalizing abortion in cases of rape, fetal disability, and life of the mother was upheld yesterday by Chile’s constitutional court, effectively securing the legalization of abortion in the South American country. It is widely expected that Chilean Socialist President Michelle Bachelet will sign the bill into law.

In a last-ditch effort to block the bill, eleven senators from the opposition Chile Vamos party had challenged the abortion bill on August 2nd, petitioning the constitutional court to throw out the provisions legalizing abortion in cases of rape and fetal disability on constitutional grounds. Chile’s constitution specifically protects the right to life for the unborn.

The court voted 6-4 to uphold the bill with ministers Iván Aróstica, Cristián Letelier, Marisol Peña, and Juan José Romero voting in support of the petition filed by Chile Vamos lawmakers. In opposition, María Luisa Brahm, Carlos Carmona, Gonzalo García, Domingo Hernández, Nelson Pozo and José Vásquezsupported the legalization of abortion.

Chile is one of only a few countries left in the world that still respects the right to life under all circumstances.

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