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Colombia: Difference between revisions
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→Laws & Social Stigmas: Clarified point on abortion law
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In Colombia, abortion is legal under three circumstances: to save the life of the woman, risk of fatal fetal malformations and cases of rape, incest or non-consensual insemination. For cases dealing with maternal health, this decision was left to medical authorities (there is no official court finding on what is included). For fetal malformations, there are no specific provisions for what qualifies at the court level, so this is left to medical opinion. For cases of rape, incest or non-consensual insemination, a report must be made to authorities.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Colombia Abortion in Colombia]</ref> In all other cases, such as to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, economic or social reasons, or available on request, are not legal reasons, according to the 2006 Colombian Constitutional Court ruling. | In Colombia, abortion is legal under three circumstances: to save the life of the woman, risk of fatal fetal malformations and cases of rape, incest or non-consensual insemination. For cases dealing with maternal health, this decision was left to medical authorities (there is no official court finding on what is included). For fetal malformations, there are no specific provisions for what qualifies at the court level, so this is left to medical opinion. For cases of rape, incest or non-consensual insemination, a report must be made to authorities.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Colombia Abortion in Colombia]</ref> In all other cases, such as to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, economic or social reasons, or available on request, are not legal reasons, according to the 2006 Colombian Constitutional Court ruling. | ||
During the 2006 court rulings, the court also considered conscientious objectors. It was decided that health care centers (clinics, hospitals, etc) cannot refuse to perform an abortion. However, doctors can refuse to perform abortions | During the 2006 court rulings, the court also considered conscientious objectors. It was decided that health care centers (e.g. clinics, hospitals, etc) cannot refuse to perform an abortion. However, individual doctors can refuse to perform abortions on religious grounds. If this is the case, they must refer women to providers who can perform abortions. | ||
In 2008, it was estimated that 400,400 abortions were performed in Colombia, and only 322 of the abortions were legal. Yet it should be noted that, for decades, the abortion rate in Colombia has remained pretty consistent. For example, the rate was 36 abortions per 1000 women (of reproductive age) in 1989, and it was 39 women out of 1000 women in 2008. Some of the highest rates of abortion are in Bogota. <ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/unintended-pregnancy-and-induced-abortion-colombia Guttmacher Institute: Unintended Pregnancy and Induced Abortion in Colombia]</ref> As reported by the Center for Reproductive Rights: "While the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the promotion and protection of reproductive rights, women in Colombia still face barriers to accessing safe abortion services, such as onerous medical requirements to prove they qualify for a legal abortion, as well as refusals to provide safe abortion services by doctors, medical institutions —and even judges—based on their personal or moral objections."<ref>[http://www.reproductiverights.org/press-room/10-years-of-legal-abortion-in-colombia 10 Years of Legal Abortion in Colombia]</ref> | In 2008, it was estimated that 400,400 abortions were performed in Colombia, and only 322 of the abortions were legal. Yet it should be noted that, for decades, the abortion rate in Colombia has remained pretty consistent. For example, the rate was 36 abortions per 1000 women (of reproductive age) in 1989, and it was 39 women out of 1000 women in 2008. Some of the highest rates of abortion are in Bogota. <ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/unintended-pregnancy-and-induced-abortion-colombia Guttmacher Institute: Unintended Pregnancy and Induced Abortion in Colombia]</ref> As reported by the Center for Reproductive Rights: "While the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the promotion and protection of reproductive rights, women in Colombia still face barriers to accessing safe abortion services, such as onerous medical requirements to prove they qualify for a legal abortion, as well as refusals to provide safe abortion services by doctors, medical institutions —and even judges—based on their personal or moral objections."<ref>[http://www.reproductiverights.org/press-room/10-years-of-legal-abortion-in-colombia 10 Years of Legal Abortion in Colombia]</ref> | ||