Lil Marie Apéstegui F
Universidad de Costa Rica
Abstract
In Costa Rica women are not able to choose whether to have an abortion or not, since this procedure is allowed only in order to preserve the life or physical health of the woman and it has to be ordered by a court. Abortions are illegal in almost all cases, including when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest and when the fetus suffers from medical problems or birth defects. (Abortion in Costa Rica) and people can go to jail because of having an abortion or assisting someone if the procedure has not been approved under the above mentioned circumstances. Even though there are pro-life and pro-choice groups in Costa Rica, the discussion is not focused on the base of Human Rights. In this paper I want to state that abortion must be legalized in Costa Rica because by opposing to it, the government is violating the human right to equal medical treatment for all women and these women have to turn to illegal practices that put their health at risk. Key words: human rights, abortion laws in Costa Rica, pro-choice, pro-life.
Legalization of Abortion in Costa Rica: Pro-Choice Or Pro-Life? In a religious country like Costa Rica, abortion rights are restricted to cases where the mother´s life is in danger (Abortion Laws, Women on Waves), but rape victims are not considered to have this right, even if that mother is almost a baby herself and her life may be in danger due to this pregnancy. Under Costa Rican laws induced abortion has been included in the crimes against life since 1970, and if a doctor suspects that a woman has had an abortion he or she is required to report it to the authorities, otherwise they can also face criminal charges. Punishment varies depending on whether the woman consented or not to the procedure or if the fetus is six months ' gestation at the time. This is a very emotional subject that leads to passionate and
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