Protest against Dominican Republic's Total Abortion Ban in New Criminal Code
Activists in the Dominican Republic protest against a new criminal code that would maintain a total abortion ban, along with other concerning changes such as reducing penalties for sexual violence within marriage and excluding sexual orientation from discrimination protection.
Key Points
- Dominican Republic is one of four Latin American nations with a total abortion ban
- Penalties for abortion include up to two years in prison for women and five to 20 years for doctors or midwives
- Concerns raised about changes unrelated to abortion in the new criminal code
Pros
- Highlighting the need for legal abortion in cases of risk to the woman's life, rape or incest, and fetal malformations incompatible with life
- Drawing attention to the risks women face under a total abortion ban
Cons
- Maintaining a total abortion ban
- Reducing penalties for sexual violence within marriage
- Excluding sexual orientation from discrimination protection