Argentina’s senate poised to vote on legalizing abortion, rare in region

Argentina was on the cusp of legalizing abortion on Tuesday over the objections of its influential Roman Catholic Church, with the senate preparing to vote on a measure that has the backing of the ruling party and has already passed in the lower house.

If passed, the bill would make Argentina the first big country in predominantly Catholic Latin America to allow abortion on demand. The vote is expected to be close after what is likely to be a marathon debate, beginning at 4 pm (1900 GMT).

“For decades we have been waiting for this moment,” said more than 1,500 prominent Argentine personalities in an open letter to senators.

“This is a time to make history. The world is watching.”

On the other side of the debate is the Catholic Church, which is calling on senators to reject the proposal to allow women to end pregnancies up to the 14th week. Argentina is the birthplace of Pope Francis.

Argentine law now allows abortion only when there is a serious risk to the health of the mother or in cases of rape.

via Reuters