Mexico’s Supreme Court has ruled that criminalizing abortion is unconstitutional. The ruling is a major victory for pro-abortion activists in the conservative Roman Catholic country.

The court ruled on a law in the northern state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, where abortion is a crime. This law must now be dropped, and the ruling of the highest judicial body is also expected to have far-reaching consequences for the rest of the country. Many states in Mexico still have strict anti-abortion laws. Hundreds of women, mostly from poor backgrounds, are serving prison sentences.

The chief justice described the ruling as a turning point for all women, especially the most vulnerable. Women who undergo abortions now, according to certain rules, can now in principle not be punished. Only Mexico City and four of the 31 states allowed abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Tougher across the border

It is not clear to what extent the ruling will affect the women who have already been convicted. According to some lawyers, it offers the opportunity to appeal again.

The timing of the ruling is remarkable in light of developments across the border, in the United States and especially in Texas. there last week The abortion law has already been tightened, which means de facto that abortion is no longer permitted in the state.

The US Supreme Court rejected a request by abortion clinics to declare the Texas law unconstitutional. President Biden called itUnprecedented attack on the fundamental rights of women.