(8 Aug 2000) Spanish/Nat
XFA
Controversy has flared in Mexico over the decision in one state to punish raped women who have an abortion with prison sentences of up to six years.
Guanajuato's parliament, dominated by right-wing members from the National Action Party PAN), last week voted to reform the state's criminal law - despite a deal reached with other parties to respect the federal status-quo.
On Monday, a group of women from various non-governmental organisations demanded a meeting with PAN's national council to establish whether it supports the Guanajuato move.
They convened outside the PAN headquarters in Mexico City.
There is concern that PAN's strategy is to change legislation in line with the most conservative dictates of the Catholic church - state by state.
This would jeopardise hard-won victories by the country's pro-choice movement.
In Mexico, women are allowed to abort in seven different cases, which range from rape to financial problems, through to health problems for the mother or malformation of the foetus.
PAN has the majority in many state parliaments, including the capital's.
The vote comes as Vicente Fox, who won Mexico's presidency for the PAN on July 2, struggles to bury historical fears of the party's pro-church, socially conservative stance.
Most Mexicans remain very deeply wary of religious intervention in politics, following reforms in the 1860s that cut back on the once overwhelming power of the Roman Catholic church, and a bloody armed rebellion the church fought against the government in the 1920s.
PAN party members have been at pains to point out Fox doesn't necessarily agree with the Guanajuato decision.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"What's behind this measure is the total devaluation of female dignity and women's rights. The autonomy of women to decide is anathema for the most conservative and reactionary hierarchy within the Catholic church."
SUPER CAPTION: María Consuelo Mejía from 'Catholic Women for the right to decide'
Another source of anxiety is the de-facto inequality this law will create and the dangers of clandestine abortions.
Women who can afford to do so will be able to leave Guanajuato and travel to a state that allows abortion.
So the change is seen as being directed towards the poorer populations.
Seventeen and a half percent of Mexican women between 15 and 49 years of age have had an abortion.
Feminist groups and non-governmental organisations have warned they will call for nationwide protests if there is not an open debate over the issue.
They are also threatening hunger strike.
In Mexico, criminal law is legislated at a regional level.
Guanajuato's governor can veto the reform to the criminal law, a measure which might not be necessary if Guanajuato's legislators withdraw the law.
But he is torn between the pressures of his party and the demands of the Catholic church.
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