Non-Punishable Abortion Denied to 13-year-old: A 13-year old who fell pregnant after being raped by her step-father was denied an abortion at a public hospital in Moreno, Greater Buenos Aires. The girl was admitted into hospital on Saturday with an infection, and her mother requested the abortion be performed. The doctors refused to carry out the procedure as the girl is 23-weeks pregnant. The provincial Health Ministry issued a statement indicating that the doctors, following WHO guidelines, explained the mother that her daughter “was in no condition to have an abortion due to the late-stage pregnancy [over 22 weeks] and her health conditions,” as it could put her life at risk. Instead, they suggested to perform a scheduled caesarian and put the child up for adoption. However, pro-choice activists have denounced the doctors as being conscience objectors and said they will file a criminal lawsuit against them, as abortions in cases of rape are legal and must be performed at public hospitals, as set out on the criminal code and confirmed by a Supreme Court ruling.
The girl’s mother found out about the rape -which happened in November- on 31st March, at which time she filed a lawsuit within the local police station. The forensic examinations did not take notice of the pregnancy, which the victim confirmed through a home pregnancy test last week. The alleged rapist, a 27-year old man who is also accused of having abused his younger step-daughter, has not been charged or arrested.
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