Pro-life groups in Uruguay denounce new attempts to legalize abortion

Montevideo, Uruguay, Aug 21, 2012 / 15:03 pm

Around twenty pro-life organizations are denouncing what they call "anti-democratic and unconstitutional" moves by supporters of a measure that would legalize abortion in Uruguay.

In an Aug. 16 statement read in the Uruguayan Congress after the bill was rejected by the Committee on Health Care, pro-life leaders warned there were numerous bills aimed at legalizing abortion, not just one, and that all of them "aim to force health care centers to perform abortions."

They also denounced the Senate for refusing to allow pro-life organizations to testify and for rushing a bill through the Senate in Christmas of 2011 to escape public notice.  

Since the measure did not gain the approval of the Public Health Committee, abortion supporters pushed for the creation of a "Special Commission" comprised of a pro-abortion majority that approved it "literally in the dark of night."

Pro-life groups called the move by the Commission "anti-democratic" and "unconstitutional."  They noted that the measure does not address the needs of women or of the unborn and "totally ignores the rights and obligations of parents."  

"It does not address the demographic reality of our country, which is characterized by a low birth rate and an ageing population."

They also complained that numerous proposed measures that would help pregnant women and their babies are not being debated in Congress.