Thousands of women protested on Saturday against a bill advancing in Brazil’s conservative Congress that would equate abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy to homicide and establish sentences of six to 20 years in prison. If the bill backed by evangelical lawmakers becomes law, abortions by rape victims would be considered homicide after 22 weeks gestation. Feminist groups criticized the proposed legislation for imposing harsher penalties than those given to rapists in Brazil. Such children, often lacking the understanding or support to recognize themselves as crime victims, frequently discover their pregnancies late. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called the bill “insane” and said his government would defend the current laws that punish rapists and treat their victims with respect.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald June 16, 2024 21:23 UTC