Brazil: On June 23, thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to protest against a proposed bill that would classify abortions performed after the 22nd week of pregnancy as homicide, even in cases of rape.
The proposed legislation, known as Bill 1904, has sparked outrage and demonstrations in multiple cities across the country.
Currently, abortion in Brazil is illegal except in cases of risk to the mother’s life, fetal anencephaly, or rape, and there are no time limits for these exceptions.
However, the new bill, fast-tracked for debate in Brazil’s lower house, seeks to impose severe penalties on abortions performed after the 22nd week, equating them to homicide with potential prison terms of up to 20 years.
This harsh punishment starkly contrasts with the maximum 12-year sentence for rape involving serious physical violence.
Protesters, including women’s rights activists and ordinary citizens, argue that the bill would disproportionately harm rape victims, particularly children.
Statistics reveal that in 2022, Brazil recorded 75,000 rape cases, with over 60% of the victims being children under 13. Currently, an estimated 38 girls aged 14 or younger give birth in Brazil each day.
The new law would likely increase this number by making legal abortions even harder to obtain.
The bill’s advancement has triggered widespread condemnation, with critics highlighting the severe impact on victims of sexual abuse.
Public outrage is mounting, and demonstrations are putting pressure on Congress to reconsider the bill.
According to the CGTN America News the speaker of the lower house, Arthur Lira, and the bill’s author, Sóstenes Cavalcante, have indicated no immediate plans to schedule a vote, signaling a potential delay due to public backlash.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called the proposed punishment “insane” and is reportedly working with his Workers Party to persuade right-wing legislators to shelve or postpone the vote.
This comes after initial criticism of the party’s silence on the issue, which had emboldened conservatives.
The proposed bill has united various segments of Brazilian society in opposition, with many viewing it as an attack on women’s rights and a step backward in the fight for gender equality.
As protests continue, the future of Bill 1904 remains uncertain, with its fate resting on the actions of Brazil’s legislators in the coming weeks.
