Chile court rules in favor of abortion in some cases

Pro and anti - abortion demonstrators shout slogans outside the Constitutional Court building in Santiago, Chile, Aug. 18, 2017. The court is to decide on a law that legalizes abortion in limited circumstances and end the socially conservative country's status as the last in South America with a blanket ban on the procedure. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) Pro and anti - abortion demonstrators shout slogans outside the Constitutional Court building in Santiago, Chile, Aug. 18, 2017. The court is to decide on a law that legalizes abortion in limited circumstances and end the socially conservative country's status as the last in South America with a blanket ban on the procedure. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

By Associated Press August 21, 2017 2 min read

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) – Chile’s Constitutional Court on Monday upheld a measure that would end the country’s absolute ban on abortions.

The court’s 6-4 vote accepted the constitutionality of a measure to legalize abortions when a woman’s life is in danger, when a fetus is not viable and in cases of rape.

Chile is the last country in South America to ban abortion in all cases.

Court secretary Rodrigo Pica said details of the decision, which cannot be appealed, would be released on Aug. 28. Demonstrators in favor of therapeutic abortion celebrated outside the courtroom in the Chilean capital, while opponents protested.

President Michelle Bachelet has said she will sign the measure that passed Congress this month. Conservative lawmakers had filed an appeal with the court to halt the law, arguing it was unconstitutional.