On Wednesday morning, Mexico's Supreme Court (The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation) determined that the previous guidelines preventing women from undergoing a medical procedure that terminates their pregnancy is unlawful and a violation of their rights. Therefore, abortion is no longer a part of the country's penal code. While the decision is viewed as a victory for women's rights groups such as Marea Verde Chihuahua and the Information Group for Chosen Reproduction, the country is over 70% Catholic. Thus, 20 of Mexico's 32 states will continue to punish anyone who attempts to have an abortion. Although the ruling reflects a trend in Latin America, Mexico's battle is far from over, as many legalities remain unresolved.
“Though this is a big deal, it could still be very difficult for people to get abortions. In some places, they will still likely refuse access to women for many different reasons, and that will be visible when women actually go in and try to get abortions and are turned away. We’re going to have to see whether the effect is immediate or whether this ruling really only affects the criminal system,” said Tyler Mattiace, a Mexico researcher at Human Rights Watch.
The judgment from the Supreme Court building in Mexico City is being closely monitored stateside as abortion clinics in Mexico have become a prime destination for Americans since the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Back in 2022, the 'Profem' clinic in Tijuana estimated that half of their abortion patience traveled there from America. Another noteworthy aspect of the ruling is that Mexico will soon elect its first female president. Senator Xochitl Galvez (of The National Action Party) supports abortions despite being a right-winged politician, while Claudia Sheinbaum (of the MORENA political party) recently oversaw legislation that called for the cancellation of limitations on abortions stemming from rape. After one of these candidates wins Mexico's presidential election next June, she will face the challenge of administering her country's new abortion laws. In the big picture, this is a development that could play a crucial role in the advances being made in reproductive rights throughout Latin America.
Source: AP News
