With 27 votes in favor, six against and three abstentions, the Congress of Michoacán decriminalized abortion in the state this Thursday, October 10, after a marathon session.
The initiative, promoted by the parliamentary group of Morena and part of the Morelos plan of Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, divided the plenary, since its discussion and analysis took almost two hours.
Discussion of the ruling took place amid protests
Outside the local Legislative Palace, activists celebrated the decision, considering it “historic” and an advance in the struggle of women.
The approval of the ruling took place amid protests by pro-life groups and those who promote decriminalization.
The plenary session of the Congress of Michoacán took place under the protection of riot police.
With this, the state is part of the group of 15 entities that gave the green light to the decriminalization of abortion.
Pro-life and women’s groups ‘clash’ in the Congress of Michoacán
In the framework of the approval of the reform, pro-life and women’s groups ‘clashed’ outside the local Congress while it was in session behind closed doors.
At the main entrance, the “Steps for Life” group blocked access to the premises from nine in the morning
An hour later, groups of women broke into the place and in the middle of the street chanted slogans in favor of the initiative, while those who are against it responded in the same way.
Even, using a mariachi that accompanies health sector workers in another mobilization who also took to the streets, they tried to silence the women’s protest.
Decriminalization of abortion in Michoacán is celebrated
After the Congress of Michoacán voted this afternoon in favor of the decriminalization of abortion in the state, this generated positive reactions both in legislators and in organizations who recognized the importance of this decision to guarantee the sexual and reproductive rights of women and pregnant people.
One of them is the local deputy of Michoacán, Fabiola Alanís, who in an interview for MILENIO, said that with this reform an important step is taken in a historical debt that was owed to the women of the state, since the bases for this decriminalization had been laid for a long time, however, it was not until this legislature that this progress was allowed.
“We are living in a different, very accelerated time in guaranteeing rights. This is the first time that a progressive movement has two thirds of Congress and we must take advantage of it.”
“We want to avoid the deaths of women due to clandestine abortions. We have to address this and comply with what must be established for safe abortion,” she stressed.
She also said that it is important that in this type of legislation it is taken into account that we are in a secular state, so religious positions should not be taken into account, but rather the international framework that supports this type of practice in respect of the rights of pregnant people.
Another of the Michoacan legislators who also celebrated this decision was the Morena member Nalleli Pedraza, who described this fact as something historic so that women have the right to decide about their own body.
For its part, the United Nations Agency for Gender Equality recognized this decision of the Congress of Michoacán, which is a further step towards guaranteeing all the rights of all women.
Amnesty International Mexico also recognized this decision and reiterated the importance of continuing to fight for access to legal abortion throughout the country.
The organization IPAS Mexico also reacted positively, thanking the work of activists, organizations and collectives that came together to make this possible; for its part, GIRE pointed out that it is time to raise the flag so that the green tide continues to rise throughout the country.
Source: milenio
