Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 1 (US): The Chilean Senate on Tuesday rejected a bill that would have legalized abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy.
The bill was narrowly rejected, with 65 votes in favour, 62 against and 1 abstention.
Termination of pregnancy is currently only permitted in special cases, such as after a rape, if the mother’s life is in danger or if the fetus is not viable.
It is believed that thousands of abortions occur clandestinely in the country each year in private clinics or back rooms, the German news agency dpa reported.
Under current legislation, both doctors and a patient are liable to prosecution if an abortion is performed.
In neighboring Argentina, a law allowing abortion until the 14th week of pregnancy was passed late last year.
In most other Latin American countries, abortion is also permitted only in exceptional cases.
They are legal in Uruguay, Cuba, Guyana, French Guiana, and parts of Mexico, while abortions in El Salvador are completely prohibited and punishable by imprisonment. Even abortions can be subject to severe penalties.
FKN