Finland expressed concern over Nicaragua's total abortion ban
Press release 55/2007
29 March, 2007
Together with other Nordic Countries and the Netherlands, Finland took a stand against the total abortion ban in Nicaragua that discriminates against the rights of women. The representatives of the Nordic Countries and the Netherlands delivered a demarche to Deputy Foreign Minister of Nicaragua Manuel Colonel Karus in Managua, expressing their concern over the stricter law. Just before the presidential elections held on 5 November, 2006, the Nicaraguan Parliament accepted a total abortion ban, banning also abortion on medical grounds that had been legal before.
Finland, other Nordic Countries, and the Netherlands are of the opinion that total abortion ban is a violation against the rights of women. The representatives pleaded to the possibility to reopen the issue in the new Nicaraguan government and parliament. The representatives reminded that abortion is a different concept than abortion on medical grounds, and pointed out that the law would lead to deaths of women. The representatives stated that the publicity the issue has raised in the Nordic Countries and the Netherlands might turn the public opinion in an unfavourable direction against Nicaragua.
The criminal legislation reform, endangering the lives of pregnant women, by which abortion on medical grounds was made a criminal offence, is against the general and universal human rights and the rights of women, which Finland defends. Finland has been supporting the rights of women and girls in Nicaragua for quite a long time, and is providing active support to the healthcare system of the country – particularly in the arena of reproductive health. Nicaragua is one of the main recipient countries of Finnish development cooperation assistance. The implementation of Finnish development cooperation is anchored to respect of human rights.
Additional information: Finland's Ambassador to Nicaragua Marja Luoto, tel. +505 850 8671, and Director Jukka Pietikäinen, Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean, tel. +358 (0)40 586 3208