Nicaragua: Not even when her life is at stake: How the total abortion ban in Nicaragua criminalizes doctors and endangers women and girls

Index Number: AMR 43/004/2009
Date Published: 27 July 2009
Categories: Nicaragua

In this digest Amnesty International considers the impact of the 2008 revised Penal Code which removes all exceptions to the prohibition on abortion. The new law criminalizes all forms of abortion, regardless of the circumstances. The criminalization of all forms of abortion and the resulting fear of prosecution mean that women and girls in need of urgent obstetric care hesitate before seeking medical attention, and that health professionals are compelled by the law to deny women and girls medically indicated treatment.