Legislators in Mexico City are debating a bill to legalize abortion during the first three months of pregnancy, a law that would be the first of its kind in the heavily Roman Catholic nation.The bill is supported by the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), which holds the mayorship and a majority in the city legislature, and it could be approved in the coming months, lawmakers said.
The proposal has ignited debate in the capital.
"Some even carry out the abortions themselves because they have no other alternative," said Victor Cirigo, a PRD legislator who helped draft the bill, speaking Wednesday.
Officials from the Roman Catholic Church and conservative National Action Party (PAN) of President Felipe Calderón have promised to block the abortion measure.
They claim abortion violates articles protecting life in the Constitution and say they will oppose the bill in court if necessary.
Jorge Serrano, president of the National Pro-Life Committee, argues that legalizing abortion will encourage more women to terminate their pregnancies.
"The more women who have abortions, the more women and babies will die," Serrano said. "The risks will increase."
Under current Mexico City law, abortion is only permitted if the pregnancy endangers woman´s life or if the woman has been raped.
Proponents of the bill say these restrictions force women to seek abortions outside the law. While wealthier women travel to the United States for the procedures, poorer women must remain in Mexico and have back-street operations.
