13th Mexican state passes pro-life constitutional amendment

The Mexican state of San Luis Potosi has passed a pro-life amendment to its constitution by an overwhelming majority of 21-4, with two abstentions, becoming the 13th state in recent months to do so, reports Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, Latin America Correspondent, LifeSiteNews.com.

The amendment reads: "The State of San Luis Potosi recognizes human life as fundamental for all human rights, for which reason it is respected and protected from the moment of its initiation in conception."

Although the amendment will reportedly not affect the existing criminal code, which does not penalize abortion in cases of rape or danger of death, it will likely protect the state from legislative initiatives to legalize abortion on demand.

As in other states, the amendment was supported by the conservative National Action Party (PAN), as well as many legislators from the liberal Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and even some from the socialist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and other socialist parties.

Abortions that fall under the code's criminal penalties can result in up to three years in prison and a fine equal to between 20 and 60 days of the minimum wage. The penalties apply equally to individuals who carry out the abortions and the women who request them.

The avalanche of states passing pro-life amendments comes in response to legislation passed in 2007 in Mexico City, which depenalized abortion on demand during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and mandated its provision in public hospitals.

Although pro-abortion activists hoped to sweep the country with similar legislation, the opposite has occurred. To date, thirteen Mexican states have responded with pro-life constitutional amendments, and several more are preparing similar amendments.

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TAGS: Mexico state of San Luis Potosi pro-life constitutional amendment legalize abortion

[05/30/2009]

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