Ing. René Núñez Téllez

Presidente de la Asamblea Nacional

Asamblea Nacional de la República de Nicaragua

Avenida Bolívar

Apto. Postal 4659

Managua

NICARAGUA

Your Excellency,

I urge you to repeal the criminalization of access to abortion services, even where continuation of a pregnancy endangers a woman‘s or girl‘s life or health, or where the pregnancy is a result of rape.

The criminalization of all forms of abortion is unlawful, unreasonable and unenforceable. It is often difficult – and in some cases impossible – to prove whether a woman has suffered a miscarriage or had an induced abortion. This places the thousands of women and girls who suffer a miscarriage every year in Nicaragua, and those who care for them, at risk of being wrongfully accused of having induced an abortion.

The complete ban on abortion in all circumstances will lead to more women and girls seeking clandestine abortions, which can result in longterm health damage, loss of fertility and even death.

I urge you to take all necessary action to ensure that Articles 143, 145, 148 and 149 of the Nicaraguan Penal Code are repealed and that safe and legal abortion services are made accessible for women and girls whose lives or health are put at risk by continuing with a pregnancy, or whose pregnancy is the result of rape.

Sincerely,

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