"Under El Salvador's legal framework, emergencies including miscarriages and stillbirths, place women under criminal suspicion. She lost the baby and doctors alerted the police. She was arrested and handcuffed. She couldn't understand what happened, says a lawyer in El Salvador, speaking anonymously for fear of political reprisals. She went to hospital with a stomach ache, not knowing she was pregnant, and had an emergency. Then she was taken to prison, and faced a prosecution asking for a 50-year sentence."
"El Salvador has some of the most restrictive reproductive laws in the world. Since 1998, abortion has been banned under all circumstances including rape, incest and risk to the mother's life and in 1999 a constitutional amendment enshrined the protection of life from conception. In practice, women accused of terminating a pregnancy have been charged with aggravated homicide a crime that carries a sentence of up to 50 years in prison."
"It is detention first, investigation later, often without meaningful access to legal defence. Women who have had obstetric emergencies are often reported by hospital staff and even imprisoned under charges including negligent homicide. Between 2009 and 2023, campaigners secured the release of dozens of women imprisoned for abortion-related charges, miscarriages, stillbirths and obstetric emergencies."
El Salvador maintains one of the world's most restrictive reproductive laws, banning abortion entirely since 1998 with a 1999 constitutional amendment protecting life from conception. Women experiencing obstetric emergencies, miscarriages, and stillbirths face criminal prosecution, often charged with aggravated homicide carrying sentences up to 50 years. Hospital staff frequently report patients to police, leading to arrests without adequate legal defense. A 19-year-old nursing student seeking emergency care for stomach cramps was arrested after losing her baby, facing a 50-year sentence. However, sustained advocacy by women's rights groups and international pressure created gradual change. Between 2009 and 2023, campaigners secured the release of dozens of women imprisoned under abortion-related charges, demonstrating the impact of organized resistance to these laws.
#reproductive-rights #el-salvador-abortion-laws #criminal-justice #womens-rights-advocacy #obstetric-emergencies
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