Activists in the Dominican Republic oppose a proposed criminal code upholding the complete ban on abortion

Activists in the Dominican Republic demonstrated against a proposed new criminal code that upholds the country’s existing abortion ban. The Senate of the Dominican Republic granted initial approval to the bill in late June, with a final approval expected in the coming days. The activists are advocating for legal abortion in cases where a woman’s life is in danger, in situations of rape or incest, and when there are severe fetal malformations.

The Dominican Republic is among four Latin American countries where abortion is outlawed without exceptions. Women who undergo an abortion can face imprisonment of up to two years, while doctors or midwives who perform the procedure may be sentenced to five to 20 years in jail. In addition to maintaining the full abortion ban, the proposed criminal code also aims to lessen penalties for sexual violence within marriage and exclude sexual orientation as a protected characteristic against discrimination, affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

Activists promoting abortion rights argue that the complete ban not only limits women’s reproductive rights but also endangers their lives. They call for a criminal code that respects the decision-making of women and girls. President Luis Abinader, who secured a second term in May, initially indicated support for decriminalizing abortion but later retracted that stance after winning the elections, disappointing activists.

Concerns have been raised by Dominicans regarding aspects of the new criminal code unrelated to abortion. One article in the proposed code would exempt churches from criminal accountability, potentially leading to unpunished sexual abuse, money laundering, or cover-ups involving religious figures. The Dominican Republic, where Christianity plays a significant role, is the only nation worldwide with a Bible depicted on its flag, and the state motto is “God, Country, and Freedom.”