spokesperson of Dignity Project In the Chamber, Representative Lisie BurgosYesterday, Saturday, it introduced a legislative measure – which withdrew hours later – to punish women who perform or consent to abortions with a fixed 99-year sentence.
House Bill 1407 – which he introduced 24 hours after the United States Supreme Court dismissed Roe v. Roe. Wade which paved the way for protection of the right to abortion – also provided for three to eight years in prison for women who tried to terminate their pregnancy by consuming a drug or substance, and 99 years in prison Did, if in fact, the fetus died.
The measure, which provoked outrage from various sectors and human rights activists, was withdrawn yesterday, Saturday, the last day for the approval of the measures during this ordinary session.
Burgos proposed to amend Articles 98, 99 and 100 of the Penal Code “To specify how the exceptions indicated by law shall be enforced and in such a way as to protect the life of the child and the pregnant woman who is compelled to undergo an abortion,” said a spokesperson for the Dignity Project in Chambers.
The only exceptions not to impose the above penalty were when abortion was the only option to save the life of the pregnant person due to physical complications arising during pregnancy or pre-existing physical conditions, and when she was suffering from any mental illness. Both instances had to be certified by health professionals.
The Federal Supreme Court on Friday announced the repeal of the constitutional recognition of the right abortion, which was guaranteed in the United States since 1973. The determination was based on the argument that it is not a constitutional right – at the federal level – and that it should be elected officials of state governments who decide that matter.
At the local level, in addition to the Constitution of Puerto Rico, the case rules in Pueblo v. Duarte (1980), which recognized women’s right to abortion as a guarantee protected by the right to privacy.
“In abortion, the one who loses is the woman. The beneficiaries are the abortion industry; the aggressive and irresponsible men who do not want to take charge of the creature they produce and the pedophiles who do not get punished. With this law, we close the doors to industries that exploit the suffering and vulnerability of pregnant women. The MLA argued in some written expressions that he sent the already withdrawn project announcing the filing.
