Mexico court upholds California's abortion position

Mexico court upholds California's abortion position
Mexico's Supreme Court has maintained an amendment to the constitution of the state of Baja California states that life begins at conception, in a move hailed by anti-abortion activists.

Although seven of the 11 judges considered the measure unconstitutional, by eight votes were needed to turn it around.

Half over 31 states in Mexico have adopted the right to life of the amendments that severely restrict abortions.

However, Mexico City allows abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The anti-abortion activists cheered after hearing the Supreme Court ruling.

"We must continue working so that life will triumph," said Jorge Serrano, leader of an anti-abortion Pro-Life, told Reuters.

The Supreme Court should consider a similar amendment in the state of San Luis Potosi, where the law also says that life begins at conception.

Justice Fernando Franco proposed a motion to declare the law unconstitutional in Baja California, but the opposition of the four judges sank the measure.

Giving his ruling, the judges said they based their analysis "strictly on constitutional issues. That is, the issue under debate was the power of states to legislate on matters not expressly determined by the federal Constitution."

However, some activists fear women's rights that allows individual states to decide their own rules may create a gap between those who can go to Mexico City for legal abortion and those who live in states where limited greatly.

Commission Human Mexico City government on human rights said the court's position could worsen the serious public health problem of clandestine abortions.

The ruling highlights the difference between the policies pursued by the authorities of Mexico City and more conservative governments in other states, correspondents say.

All states in Mexico permit abortion when pregnancy results from rape, and most permits when the woman's life is in danger.

But activists say pro-abortion in practice this does not always happen
Mexico court upholds California's abortion position