The Stream

Chile debates ‘abortion under 3 circumstances’ ahead of vote

Chileans are divided as the Chamber of Deputies’ health commission prepares to vote on a new bill easing the total ban on abortion.

UPDATE: The vote on the bill to decriminalise abortion in Chile has been pushed to August 4.

Chileans online are engaging in heated debate over abortion, 26 years after the procedure was completely banned in the country in 1989. On July 7, the Chamber of Deputies’ health commission is set to vote on a new bill that would decriminalise abortion under three circumstances: in a case of rape, when a mother’s life is at risk, or when a fetus would not survive the pregnancy. The proposed law is backed by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

Both sides joined the debate online with #aborto3causales (abortion 3 circumstances) to discussed the proposed bill: