Group sues government of El Salvador over treatment of critically ill pregnant women, ban on abortio

Wednesday, Dec 4, 2013 08:33 AM CST
Group sues government of El Salvador over treatment of critically ill pregnant women, ban on abortion

The suit alleges the Salvadoran government is guilty of human rights abuses and urges change to its abortion law

Katie Mcdonough

Feminist and human rights groups in El Salvador are suing the government over its treatment of a critically ill pregnant women and the country’s ban on abortion under all circumstances.

The groups filed the suit on behalf of Beatriz, a 22-year-old woman who was 26 weeks pregnant with a nonviable, anencephalic fetus when she filed an emergency request with El Salvador’s Supreme Court for a therapeutic abortion. Abortion is illegal without exception in El Salvador, but Beatriz’ doctors warned her that — because of severe health complications related to lupus, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease — she would likely not survive the pregnancy.

For more than a month, the court ignored Beatriz’ urgent health request — supported by her doctors, El Salvador’s health minister and international human rights organizations — while she languished in a hospital, away from her family and young son.

In June, the court ruled that Beatriz could not have the abortion that would save her life, but granted that doctors could take “necessary steps” to save her life. The procedure, which the government called an “emergency cesarean” but was actually a hysterotomy — a form of abortion carried out through cesarean — saved her life.

More:
http://www.salon.com/2013/12/04/group_sues_government_of_el_salvador_over_treatment_of_critically_ill_pregnant_women_ban_on_abortion/