Mexico Court Backs Liberal Abortion Law

Mexico's Supreme Court has upheld Mexico City's liberal abortion law, saying that to do otherwise would be a "violation of the fundamental rights of women." Abortions in the capital city are legal for any reason during the first three months of pregnancy. Other Mexican states will likely liberalize their laws in the wake of the ruling, reports the Christian Science Monitor.

Mexico City’s law—one of the most liberal in Latin America—was passed in the spring. Since then, 12,000 women have obtained abortions in the city, with 20% of them traveling from outside the capital. Elsewhere in Mexico, abortions are usually allowed only in cases of rape or medical necessity. The leader of an anti-abortion group said the ruling creates a “culture of death.” (More abortion stories.)