Duque challenges Colombia’s top court over abortion ruling

President Ivan Duque (Image: President's Office)

Colombia’s President Ivan Duque rejected a constitutional court decision to decriminalize abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy.

According to Duque, “five people can’t set the guidelines on something this sensitive.”

President Ivan Duque

The constitutional court ruled that a ban on abortion violated the constitution rights on Monday and ordered Congress to legislate on the matter.

Duque argued that only Congress can decide on the legality of abortion.

President Ivan Duque

The court was asked to review the legislation after Congress failed to come up with regulatory laws on abortion for more than 15 years.

The decision was celebrated by feminists and international human rights organizations.

Duque’s opposition to the court was rejected by Juan Pappier of Human Rights Watch, who accused the president of challenging the independence of the judicial branch.

HRW investigator Juan Pappier

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