Buenos Aires passes law allowing abortions

September 28, 2012 in Health

Buenos Aires approved a law early Friday authorizing unrestricted abortions in cases of rape or when the mother's life is in danger.

The city's legislature passed the measure by a close 30-29 vote with allies of President Cristina Kirchner edging out a bloc led by Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, a potential rival for the presidency in 2015.

The bill prohibits "medical, bureaucratic or judicial obstacles" to abortions in cases of or where there is a high risk to the health of the mother.

Attempts by Argentina's Congress to pass a federal law decriminalizing abortion have failed, however, opposed both by Kirchner and the .

In neighboring Uruguay, the lower house of the Congress voted this week to legalize abortions in the , with the requirement that women first consult a medical team on the risks associated with the procedure and options to terminating a pregnancy.

The Uruguayan Senate was expected to approve the bill later this year, which would make it only the second Latin American country, after Cuba, to legalize .

(c) 2012 AFP

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