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Nicaragua: LEGAL ACCUSATION AGAINST RENOWNED FEMINIST WOMEN
Recently in Nicaragua, the "Pro Human Rights National Association" (ANPDH) -
an organization sponsored by the right wing catholic faction and the
secretary of the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference - has filed legal
accusation against renowned feminist women in the country. The 9 accused
women have been notorious for their defence of women's human rights in
Nicaragua against all kinds of violations, including the case of Zoilamérica
Narváez, repeatedly sexually abused by her stepfather, President Daniel
Ortega.
The nine accused women are:
a.. 1. - Ana Maria Pizarro, member of the regional coordination of C28
b.. 2.- Juanita Jiménez, until recently head of "Incidencia de la Red de
Mujeres contra la Violencia"
c.. 3.- Lorna Norori, psychologist
d.. 4.- Luisa Molina Arguello, voice of the Federation of NGOs working
with children and adolescents
e.. 5.- Martha Maria Blandón, from the Sexuality, Maternity and Rights
Forum and also from IPAS Centroamérica
f.. 6.- Martha Munguia, director of the "Centro de Mujeres Acción Ya"
g.. 7.- Mayra Sirias, voice of the Women's Network Against Violence and a
member of its coordination committee
h.. 8.- Violeta Delgado, former executive secretary of the Women's Network
Against Violence
i.. 9.- Yamileth Mejia, until recently head of Formación Política de la
Red de Mujeres contra la Violencia
You can sign in solidarity by sending an email to:
Patricia Orozco A.
Coordinadora Regional Campaña 28 de Setiembre
c28set@turbonett.com Versión en español
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In November 2007 it became a crime for a woman to have an abortion in
Nicaragua, even if her life was in mortal danger. So far it has resulted in
the death of at least 82 women. Rory Carroll reports on the fight to have
the law changed.
Women who become pregnant after being raped, or whose lives are endangered
by their pregnancy, are banned from having abortions in Nicaragua. This
country refuses to take into account a woman's age or her ability to care
for a child and will prosecute any woman who has an abortion. "This new law
intentionally denies women access to health services essential to saving
their lives, and is thus inconsistent with Nicaragua's obligations under
international human rights law," says Human Rights Watch.
Pro-choice groups say article 143 of the new penal code should be added to
that list since it bucks the international trend towards greater abortion
access and drags women back to the dark ages. Surce: The Guardian. See full
reportt.
a.. Over their dead bodies - Denial of access to emergency obstetric care
and therapeutic abortion in Nicaragua
b.. Nicaragua s blanket ban on abortion was initially enacted in November
2006 and reaffirmed in September 2007, and includes a ban on
previously-legal therapeutic abortions. It allows for prison sentences for
doctors who carry out abortions under any circumstances even to save a
pregnant woman s life and on women who seek abortions, again, regardless of
the reason. Source: Human Rights Watch, See full report.
c.. Nicaragua: At-risk pregnancy means death or prison
d.. MANAGUA, Oct 31 (IPS) - Nearly 90 women have died in Nicaragua as a
direct or indirect result of the repeal, one year ago, of the legislation
permitting abortion in cases of risk to the mother s health, according to
women s and human rights groups. Ana María Pizarro, the head of the
non-governmental organisation (NGO) Sí Mujer, and Latin American coordinator
of the 28th September Campaign for the Decriminalisation of Therapeutic
Abortion, told IPS that the reform of the abortion law has driven up the
number of fatalities reported in this impoverished Central American country.
e.. Studies by Sí Mujer indicate that 12 young pregnant women died from
lack of care in health centres where personnel were afraid of the penalties
of up to eight years in jail and loss of their medical licence for doctors
who carry out or assist in abortions, even when the action is taken to save
the expectant mother s life. Source: IPS. See full report. |
