Nicaraguan authorities should immediately repeal the law that bans all forms of abortion, Amnesty International urged in a report issued Monday.
Nicaragua’s leftist government passed a law in 2006 banning abortion completely. Before the controversial act was passed, women were allowed to end their pregnancy for therapeutic reasons, provided the mother and three doctors gave their consent.
Amnesty says the abortion ban had contributed to an increase in maternal deaths across the country. At least 33 young girls and women died during pregnancy this year, compared with 20 last year, according to the Nicaraguan health ministry. Amnesty, however, estimated the figures were higher.
Nicaragua's revised penal code includes jail sentences for girls and women who seek an abortion and for health workers who provide associated services.
Former Nicaraguan president Enrique Bolanos signed the bill banning abortion -even when a woman's life is endangered - in 2006, despite opposition from doctors, women's rights groups and diplomats.
Current President Daniel Ortega once favoured abortion rights but changed his stance after embracing Catholicism.
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