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The lives and health of women and girls in Nicaragua have been put at risk by amendments to the penal code, criminalizing abortion in all circumstances.

Theses changes in the law deprive pregnant women and girls of medical treatment, including therapeutic abortion.

Nicaragua’s new law makes no provision for complications in pregnancy, which may require a termination in order to save the life or preserve the health of the mother.

Similarly, a woman or girl who becomes pregnant as a result of being raped is now compelled to carry the pregnancy to term or face criminal prosecution – despite the mental and physical trauma or health risks she may face.

Doctors and nurses have raised serious concerns about the implications of the new law for medical professionals. For example, doctors who intervene to save women and girls whose lives or health are put at risk by obstetric complications may jeopardize their professional careers and face possible imprisonment if treatment results in unintentional miscarriage or harm to the foetus.

Amnesty International calls on Nicaragua to fulfil its obligation to protect, respect and fulfil the human rights of women and girls. The authorities should repeal the new law to ensure that women and girls are not sanctioned, criminally or otherwise, for seeking or obtaining an abortion. They should also ensure that women and girls whose health or life is at risk or who are pregnant as a result of rape or incest are able to access legal abortion services without unreasonable restrictions

AI Index: AMR 43/009/2009

Date published: 27/07/2009

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