Abortion rights protests are gaining momentum in Brazil as the government remains silent on the issue. The recent approval of a bill equating abortion after the 22nd week of gestation to homicide has sparked reactions across the country. Social media mobilizations and street protests in Brazilian capitals have been organized against the bill’s approval. Despite the government’s silence, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco criticized the fast-tracked bill and hinted at a slower analysis in the Senate if it progresses.
Amidst the backlash, Chamber of Deputies President Arthur Lira backed down and suggested the possibility of changes to the bill. He stated that the proposal would not include cases currently allowed by law. However, any potential adjustments face resistance from evangelical and Catholic caucuses in Congress. Lira’s strategy to alter the original bill, authored by Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante, involves appointing a centrist female rapporteur to produce a more balanced proposal that does not equate legal abortion to homicide.
The bill in question, PL 1904/2024, proposes penalties for illegal abortion, with the procedure performed after 22 weeks of gestation punishable by imprisonment. The bill’s current wording raises concerns as it could lead to harsher punishment for the victim of rape than the perpetrator. Lira emphasized that the bill, as it stands, is unlikely to move forward and will undergo extensive debate in the Chamber of Deputies.
One of the key points of contention is the exclusion of fetal asystole (a procedure used for abortions after 22 weeks) from the bill. This technique, recommended by the World Health Organization, is crucial for proper care of women undergoing late-term abortions. The bill was introduced in response to a Supreme Federal Court ruling suspending a resolution by the Federal Council of Medicine prohibiting fetal asystole in cases of rape-induced pregnancies.
Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante expressed opposition to altering the bill and suggested increasing the penalty for rapists to 30 years. He also mentioned that he and Lira would choose a centrist female rapporteur for the bill. Nationwide protests organized by the National Front Against the Criminalization of Women and for the Legalization of Abortion took place, with demonstrators rallying against the bill’s restrictions on abortion access.
Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco criticized the rushed handling of the bill and emphasized the importance of thorough discussions on abortion. The bill’s urgency vote in the Chamber of Deputies bypassed individual votes and speeches, allowing for accelerated processing. Pacheco assured a different approach in the Senate, highlighting the need for input from female senators on such a significant issue.
Additionally, the President of the Brazilian Bar Association announced the formation of a women-led commission to provide a legal opinion on the bill, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive perspectives in the legislative process. The ongoing debates and protests reflect the deep divide in Brazilian society over abortion rights and the government’s role in addressing these complex issues.