Yucatan Abortion Law: Decriminalized Up to 12 Weeks
Yucatan Decriminalizes Abortion Up to 12 Weeks, joining Growing Trend in Mexico
MERIDA, Yucatan – The Yucatan Congress has decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks of gestation, becoming the 22nd entity in Mexico to guarantee the legal interruption of pregnancy.
Legislators Approve Reproductive Rights Measure
In a recent session,legislators voted 22-13 in favor of the measure,with support coming from the Morena,Citizen Movement,and PRI parties.The Green Ecological Party and the PAN opposed the decriminalization. The approved opinion addresses reproductive autonomy and the right to decide for women and pregnant individuals.
Court Order Prompted Action
The decision follows a ruling by the First Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) in August 2024,which mandated that the Yucatan Congress reform its constitution and repeal articles criminalizing voluntary pregnancy interruption.
Constitutional Change Stalls
While the Yucatan Congress approved the decriminalization, a constitutional change was not endorsed. According to Deputy Clara Rosales, the opinion will return to the Commission of constitutional Points for further discussion.
The constitutional change was not approved, so the opinion returns to the Commission of Constitutional Points for its discussion. However, the decriminalization of voluntary abortion was approved at 12 weeks, with 22 votes in favor (Morena, MC and PRI) and 13 against (PAN and PVEM).
Increased Penalties for Forced Abortion
The approved opinion also includes increased penalties for forced abortion. The penalties have been raised from a range of 3-8 years to 5-10 years in prison. If violence is involved, the penalties increase from a range of 6-9 years to 9-15 years in prison.
Mexico’s Decriminalization Trend Continues
Yucatan is now among 22 Mexican entities that have decriminalized abortion. In February, Campeche also guaranteed the legal interruption of pregnancy, following the Supreme Court’s nationwide decriminalization of voluntary abortion more than two years prior.
In January, Nayarit also decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks. This followed a court order in August 2024, which directed the Nayarit Congress to eliminate the crime of abortion.
The “green wave” movement saw notable progress in Mexico in 2024,with abortion decriminalized in 10 federal entities through legislative and judicial means. however, regulating conscientious objection remains a key challenge for ensuring access to pregnancy interruption.
Yucatan decriminalizes Abortion: your Questions Answered
What is happening in Yucatan regarding abortion?
The yucatan Congress in Mexico has decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks of gestation. This means that women and pregnant individuals in Yucatan can legally choose to have an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
How did this decriminalization happen?
The decriminalization was approved following a vote in the Yucatan Congress. Legislators voted 22-13 in favor of the measure.This aligns Yucatan with a growing trend in Mexico where more states are guaranteeing the legal interruption of pregnancy. This decision also follows a ruling from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) that mandated the Yucatan Congress reform its constitution.
Which political parties supported the decriminalization?
The measure was supported by the morena,Citizen Movement,and PRI parties.
Which political parties opposed the decriminalization?
The Green Ecological Party and the PAN opposed the decriminalization.
What does the approved measure address?
The approved measure focuses on reproductive autonomy and the right to decide for women and pregnant individuals.
Did a constitutional change also occur?
No, a constitutional change was not endorsed. The opinion will return to the Commission of Constitutional Points for further discussion.
What are the penalties for forced abortion?
The approved opinion also includes increased penalties for forced abortion.
The penalties have been raised from a range of 3-8 years to 5-10 years in prison.
If violence is involved, the penalties increase from a range of 6-9 years to 9-15 years in prison.
How does Yucatan’s decision fit into Mexico’s larger abortion landscape?
Yucatan is now one of 22 Mexican entities that have decriminalized abortion. This is part of a broader trend, often referred to as the “green wave” movement.
Which other states have recently decriminalized abortion?
Campeche: In february, Campeche guaranteed the legal interruption of pregnancy.
Nayarit: In January, Nayarit decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks. This followed a court order in August 2024.
What is the role of the Supreme Court in these decriminalization efforts?
The Supreme Court of Justice of the nation (SCJN) has played a notable role. in august 2024,the SCJN mandated that the Yucatan Congress reform its constitution,and similar rulings have influenced decisions in other states,such as Nayarit. The Court’s rulings have effectively pushed for the nationwide decriminalization of abortion.
What are the key challenges surrounding abortion access in Mexico?
Regulating conscientious objection remains a key challenge for ensuring access to pregnancy interruption.
Summarizing the Recent Abortion Decriminalization Trend in Mexico:
Here’s a summary of some key developments:
| State | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Yucatan | Decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks | (Data not in article) |
| Campeche | Guaranteed legal interruption of pregnancy | February (same year as Yucatan) |
| Nayarit | Decriminalized abortion up to 12 weeks (following a court order) | January (same year as Yucatan) |
| Mexico as a Whole | Supreme Court nationwide decriminalization of voluntary abortion | Over two years prior to the events in 2024 |