Colombia's Supreme Court legalizes abortion up to 24 weeks

Colombia’s Supreme Court approved on Monday a measure that would effectively decriminalize abortion up to 24 weeks – stopping just short of eliminating the act from the Penal Code in a 5-4 vote.

#ÚLTIMAHORA | Confirmado: ¡Aborto libre hasta la semana 24 en Colombia! Con una votación de 5 contra 4, la @CConstitucional decide implementar un sistema mixto donde se podra abortar sin restricciones hasta la semana 24 y de ahí en adelante con las 3 causales vigentes. pic.twitter.com/48qfzHBcK4

— Manifiesta Media (@ManifiestaMedia) February 21, 2022

Previously, a woman could only obtain an abortion in the South American country in cases where there is fetal malformation, in cases of sexual abuse and when the mother’s health is in danger. In all other cases, abortion is punishable with up to four and a half years in prison, Semana reported.  

The historic decision was voted on after the study of two lawsuits forced the high court to consider the previous legal standard within the context of women’s rights. The subsequent discussion, which lasted nearly two years, ultimately led to justices José Fernando Reyes, Antonio José Lizarazo, Alberto Rojas Ríos, the magistrate Diana Fajardo and the judge Julio Andrés Ossa to vote in favor of the new law.

The discussion on the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia previously suffered constant roadblocks. The first one occurred after the impediment filed by the magistrate Alejandro Linares, who pointed out that in an interview he had made mention to the respective topic, partly hinting at his position.