Despite outcry from the international community and human rights groups such as Amnesty International, Paraguayan authorities are standing firm on their decision to bar a 10-year-old girl who had allegedly been raped by her stepfather from having an abortion.

Unless she develops complications that put her life in danger, the child, who is more than 22 weeks pregnant, will carry the fetus to full term.

Detailing their position, senior medical officials in Asunción, as explained in the Guardian, said there were no health risks that would necessitate doctors circumventing Paraguay’s anti-abortion laws.

Lida Sosa, the director of health care programs at the ministry of public health and wellness, said, “Right now, there is no reason to interrupt the pregnancy.” Given the stage of the pregnancy, Sosa added it was “even more dangerous for the girl to undergo a procedure [to abort] without a well-considered medical, obstetrical evaluation.”

In Paraguay, abortion is permitted only when the life of the woman or girl is at stake. In any other circumstances -- rape, incest or severe malformation -- abortion is not permitted.

On April 29, Amnesty International issued a statement condemning the Paraguayan government’s abortion restrictions.

“The physical and psychological impact of forcing this young girl to continue with an unwanted pregnancy is tantamount to torture," said Guadalupe Marengo, Americas deputy director at Amnesty International.

“The Paraguayan authorities cannot sit idly by while this young rape-survivor is forced to endure more agony and torment.”

The 10-year-old’s mother had reported back in January 2014 that her husband was sexually abusing her daughter, but the authorities did nothing.

Last month, when the girl’s stomach started to swell and ache, the mother took her to hospital. After doctors revealed the girl was pregnant, her mother asked them to perform an abortion. The request was refused.

The girl was taken to a shelter and her mother was imprisoned on April 27 for failing to provide proper care for her child. The stepfather who is allegedly responsible for the pregnancy is currently at large.

Related