UN Millennium Campaign Stand Up and Take Action 2010

Nicaragua’s abortion ban denies lifesaving treatment to cancer sufferer
The reality of Nicaragua’s total ban on abortion was starkly revealed yesterday as Amnesty International reported that a 27 year old woman, known only as ‘Amalia’ who is suffering from cancer, is being denied medical treatment for her condition because she is 10 weeks pregnant. ‘Amalia’ was diagnosed with cancer on 2nd February, and it is feared that her cancer may have already spread to her brain, lungs and breasts. Her doctors have advised that she requires urgent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment but have refused to initiate these because they may cause unintentional harm to the foetus.

Amnesty International’s Central America Researcher Esther Major said:

“It is shocking that Nicaragua would deny a cancer patient potentially life saving treatment because she is pregnant. Amalia’s situation reveals the impact of this law and demonstrates the urgent need to repeal this draconian ban which prevents the delivery of timely care and impedes sound medical judgment.

“Each day is critical for Amalia’s chances of survival and the Nicaraguan authorities must take immediate steps to provide her the full range of health care appropriate to treat her cancer.”

Last year we reported on the impact that the Nicaraguan government’s abortion ban was having on women in the country, following the release of an Amnesty report on the issue. The current law criminalises abortion under all circumstances, with no exceptions for rape, incest or threat to a women’s health. Since its introduction in 2008 it has contributed to an increase in maternal deaths in Nicaragua, and has prevented doctors from practising effective medicine.

Read Amnesty International’s press release and find out how you can take action to end Nicaragua’s abortion ban.

News from our Annual General Meeting
On Saturday 13th February, Abortion Rights members met for our AGM at Congress House in London. Our guest speaker for the day was Sandra Campanon, a trade union activist and representative of the Spanish Free Abortion Campaign. She spoke about the historical struggle for abortion rights in Spain, and the recent developments in the campaign for decriminalisation, which provoked mass demonstrations in cities across the country in 2009. While she was in London, Sandra was also interviewed by Red Pepper magazine, so for more information, look out for next month’s issue.

We were also joined by John Gibbons of the family planning association (fpa), who discussed the organisation's priorities for the year ahead, especially in the context of the upcoming general election. For more information about fpa's work, check out their website.

Lisa Hallgarten of Education for Choice spoke about their campaigns, and how Abortion Rights supporters can assist with their work. Education for Choice is a UK-based educational charity, dedicated to enabling young people to make informed choices about pregnancy and abortion. Find out more about their work here. To find out how AR supporters can contribute to EFCs work, click here.

It was a great day, so many thanks to all our speakers and everybody who attended!