Observers say most Mexican states unlikely to legalize abortion soon

Published: 2007-04-27

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (CNS) -- Though Mexico City legalized abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, most states in Mexico are unlikely to follow suit in the near future, said several political observers. Rodolfo Chavez, University of Guadalajara law professor, said abortion laws are the exclusive jurisdiction of state governments, and he predicted none of the nine states with governments run by the National Action Party would move toward decriminalizing abortion. The conservative National Action Party historically has maintained amicable relations with the Catholic Church. In a recent statement, several National Action Party governors pledged to keep their states' restrictions on abortion intact. Dan Lund, a pollster with the research firm MUND Americas, said that up to a dozen of Mexico's 31 states could propose decriminalizing abortion. But Lund said polling in other parts of Mexico suggests support for the decriminalization of abortion lags behind support in the capital, Mexico City.

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