Abortion in Belize

Abortion in Belize is restricted by criminal law, but permitted under certain conditions.

Statistics

As of 2017, the most recent statistics available regarding abortion in Belize are from 1996.[1] During that year, 2603 abortions were reported, along with 6678 live births.[2] 5% of hospitalizations were due to abortion during that year, making it the 4th highest cause of hospitalization.[2]

Due to legal restrictions against abortion, as well as its significant financial cost, illegal abortions are common in Belize, especially for low-income women.[3] In 1998, an estimated one in seven maternal deaths in Belize were due to unsafe, illegal abortions.[4]

Abortion in Belize is governed by sections 108–110 of the Criminal Code (enacted December 1980). Abortion is considered a criminal offense except when performed by a registered medical practitioner under certain conditions. The sentence for performing an illegal abortion in Belize is life imprisonment.[5]

Abortion is permitted under the following circumstances:[5]

  • To protect the life of the mother
  • To protect the physical or mental health of the mother or any existing children of her family
  • If there is substantial risk that the child will be severely handicapped

In addition, the law states that "account may be taken of the pregnant woman's actual or reasonably foreseeable environment", suggesting that abortions can be performed on socio-economic grounds.[5] Belize does not provide an explicit exception for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest.[5]

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References
  1. Johnston, William Robert (24 February 2017). "Historical Abortion Statistics, Belize". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  2. Health in the Americas (1998 ed.). World Health Organization. p. 82. ISBN 9275115699. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  3. "Illegal abortions: rising threat to Belizean women". News 5. Great Belize Television. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  4. "Government of Belize Must Address Lack of Legal Rights for Informal Relationships, Women's Anti-Discrimination Committee Told" (Press release). United Nations. 14 June 1999. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  5. "Abortion Policy: Belize". The Population Policy Data Bank. Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
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