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Americans United for Life: Mexican Supreme Court Decision Disregards Women's Health and Safety, Places Latin America on Path to Abortion-on-Demand

CHICAGO, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Mexican Supreme Court today voted 8-3 to uphold aMexico City law allowing abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This ruling ignores the negative impact of abortion on women and is a devastating step toward abortion-on-demand inLatin America.

Americans United for Life (AUL) was the leading American pro-life group to file an amicus brief in the case, which has been termedMexico's "Roe v. Wade."

AUL President Dr. Charmaine Yoest stated, "We are dismayed the Mexican Supreme Court would ignore the overwhelming evidence that abortion hurts women. Upholding this law demonstrates a total lack of concern for the health and welfare of Mexican women."

Added AUL Vice President & Legal Director Denise Burke: "Unfortunately, in the wake of this decision, other Latin American countries will be pressured by abortion advocates -- many from outsideLatin America -- to liberalize their abortion laws and put women at risk."

"Latin American countries currently have some of the most protective abortion laws in the world," continued Burke. "But they are facing increased pressure to cave into the demands of extremist groups like Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights."

Mailee Smith, AUL Staff Counsel, stated, "In addition to ignoring women's health, in upholding this law the Court ignored the clear language ofMexico's Constitution, which provides that life must be defended from the point of conception."

AUL's amicus brief detailed medical data conclusively establishing that abortion results in devastating physical and psychological harm, including death. Since April 2007, when the law was enacted inMexico City, at least 22 women have been injured and 8 women have died from complications related to their abortions.

AUL's brief along with other filings in the case will be included in a book entitled En Defensa de la Vida Humana (In Defense of Human Life) and will be published by Porrua.

AUL's brief (in both Spanish and English) is available at

http://www.aul.org/Amicus_Briefs#MexicoCity

AUL staff are available for interviews.

About Americans United for Life

Americans United for Life (AUL) is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization whose vision is a nation in which every human being is welcomed in life and protected in law. The first national pro-life organization in America, AUL has been committed to defending human life through vigorous judicial, legislative, and educational efforts at both the federal and state levels since 1971. The Wall Street Journal has profiled AUL, and PBS' Frontline program chronicled AUL's successful efforts inMississippi.

Website: http://www.AUL.org

Blog: http://Blog.AUL.org

Media Contact

Matthew Eppinette

202-289-1479

matthew.eppinette@AUL.org

SOURCE Americans United For Life

Tags: ,HEA,MTC,POL,FOR,LAW,NPT,WOM,AUL-Mexican-abortions

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