View source for Abortion in Chile

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'''Abortion in Chile''' is legal under limited circumstances: when the pregnant woman's life is at risk, in cases of [[rape]] (within 12 weeks of pregnancy, or 14 weeks if the victim is under 14), and in cases of fatal [[Fetal viability|fetal abnormality]].<ref name="law">{{cite web |date=23 September 2017 |title=Law 21,030 |url=http://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2017/09/23/41866/01/1276248.pdf |publisher=Official Gazette of Chile |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last=Anderson |first=Cora Fernández |date=2024 |title=Legalizing Abortion in the Southern Cone |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ps-political-science-and-politics/article/legalizing-abortion-in-the-southern-cone/1485D61446D794C35D77D599B5D914F8 |journal=PS: Political Science & Politics |language=en |doi=10.1017/S104909652400060X |issn=1049-0965 |doi-access=free}}</ref> These exceptions were enacted in September 2017 after [[National Congress of Chile|Congress]] approved a bill introduced under President [[Michelle Bachelet]] and the [[Constitutional Court of Chile|Constitutional Court]] upheld its constitutionality.<ref name="law" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2017-08-21 |title=El Tribunal Constitucional de Chile da luz verde a la despenalización del aborto en tres causales en histórica decisión |url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-41006338 |access-date=2017-08-21 |work=BBC Mundo |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2017-08-21 |title=Aborto será ley: TC rechaza requerimiento de Chile Vamos y da luz verde al proyecto |url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2017/08/21/871965/Aborto-sera-ley-TC-rechaza-requerimiento-de-Chile-Vamos-y-da-luz-verde-al-proyecto.html |access-date=2017-08-21 |work=EMOL.com |language=es-LA}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite news |last=Bonnefoy |first=Pascale |date=21 August 2017 |title=Chilean Tribunal Weighs In: Some Abortions Will Now Be Legal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/world/americas/chile-abortion-court.html |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Prior to 2017, most forms of abortion had been prohibited since 1989.

Debate over reproductive rights has continued: the [[2022 proposed Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile|2022 proposed draft constitution]] included provisions to expand abortion access, but the draft was rejected by voters in a [[2022 Chilean constitutional referendum|national referendum]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Nicas |first=Jack |date=2022-09-04 |title=Chile Says 'No' to Left-Leaning Constitution After 3 Years of Debate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/04/world/americas/chile-constitution-no.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Earlier reforms included the legalization of [[emergency contraception]] in the 2000s,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Mooney |first=Jadwiga E. Pieper |date=2015-11-03 |title=Family Planning and Reproductive Rights in Chile |url=https://oxfordre.com/latinamericanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.001.0001/acrefore-9780199366439-e-103 |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Latin American History |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.013.103 |isbn=978-0-19-936643-9 |doi-access=free}}</ref> and legislative attempts to decriminalize abortion up to 14 weeks were rejected by the [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]] in 2021.<ref name=":3">{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=Chile: Events of 2021 |date=2021-12-10 |work=English |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/chile |access-date=2023-03-03 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Catholic Church]] and conservative groups remain influential in the debate, while public opinion has shifted toward greater acceptance in some circumstances.

== Legal background ==
{{quote box|"The Law of God says 'Thou shalt not kill.' Nothing can be more unnatural than punishing with death the defenseless, but person, who is yet to be born. Aborting is killing, even if the corpse is very small."|Admiral [[José Toribio Merino]] in 1989.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgCZGKUcB3cC&pg=PA254|title=Discurso, género, poder: Discursos públicos, Chile 1978-1993|isbn=9789562820158|last1=Grau|first1=Olga|author-link=Olga Grau|year=1997|publisher=La Morada }}</ref>|width=250px|align=right}}

In 1931, the Health Code introduced a provision allowing therapeutic abortion,<ref name="forosalud">{{cite web |title=ABORTO EN CHILE |url=http://www.forosalud.cl/forosalud/revista/uploaded/abortoenchile.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228053225/http://www.forosalud.cl/forosalud/revista/uploaded/abortoenchile.htm |archive-date=2007-12-28 |access-date=2010-12-30}}</ref> permitting women whose lives were at risk to undergo the procedure with the approval of two doctors.<ref name="forosalud" /> However, this provision was abolished by the [[Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–90)|military dictatorship]] on September 15, 1989, citing advancements in medicine that made it "no longer justifiable."<ref name="PuntoFinal">{{cite web |date=2003-04-11 |title=Aborto terapéutico: Demanda de las mujeres |url=http://www.puntofinal.cl/541/mujeres.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410034704/http://www.puntofinal.cl/541/mujeres.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009 |access-date=2009-03-17 |work=Revista Punto Final |language=es}}</ref>

The current laws regarding abortion are codified in the [[Criminal code|penal code]] under articles 342 to 345, which address "Crimes and Offences against Family Order, Public Morality and Sexual Integrity."<ref name="CodigoPenal">{{cite web |title=CODIGO PENAL |url=http://www.bcn.cl/leyes/1984 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722121349/http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1984 |archive-date=2012-07-22 |access-date=2009-03-17 |language=es}}</ref> According to these laws, illegal abortions are punishable by up to five years of imprisonment for the person performing the procedure, and up to ten years if violence is used against the pregnant woman. If a pregnant woman consents to or performs an illegal abortion on herself, she may face up to five years in prison. Additionally, a medical doctor practicing an illegal abortion may be sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment. The country's [[Chilean Constitution of 1980|constitution]], in article 19-1, states that "the law protects the life of those about to be born." Prior to 2022, a two-thirds majority in each chamber of the [[Congress of Chile|Chilean Congress]] was required to amend this article.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web |title=CONSTITUCION POLITICA DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE |url=http://www.bcn.cl/leyes/pdf/actualizado/242302.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919194457/http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=242302 |archive-date=2012-09-19 |access-date=2009-03-17 |language=es}}</ref>

Since 1990, legislators have submitted 15 bills related to abortion for discussion in Congress, with 12 bills presented in the [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]] and three in the [[Senate of Chile|Senate]]. Approximately half of these bills aimed to increase existing penalties or create legal barriers to hinder the legalization of abortion. Two other bills suggested the construction of monuments to commemorate the "innocent victims of abortion." Four bills have requested allowing abortion when the mother's life is at risk, and one bill proposed it in cases of rape. Currently, nine bills are under review, while one has been rejected. Five others have been archived, meaning they have not been discussed for two years. Two identical bills requesting the reinstatement of therapeutic abortion as it was before 1989 are currently under review in the Chamber's Medical Commission. The first bill was submitted on January 23, 2003, and the latest on March 19, 2009.<ref name="COD">{{cite web |title=Chamber of Deputies |url=http://www.camara.cl/pley/pley_buscador.aspx?prmBuscar=aborto |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603182916/http://www.camara.cl/pley/pley_buscador.aspx?prmBuscar=aborto |archive-date=2012-06-03 |access-date=2009-03-23 |language=es}}</ref>

In November 2013, during the administration of conservative President [[Sebastián Piñera]], a law was enacted declaring March 25 as the "day of those about to be born and of adoption."<ref>[http://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1055625&idParte=&idVersion=2013-11-02 Law 20.699].</ref>

== Legalization ==
On January 31, 2015, President [[Michelle Bachelet]] submitted a draft bill to Congress with the aim of decriminalizing abortion in specific cases. The proposed cases included situations where the mother's life is at risk, when the fetus will not survive the pregnancy, and in instances of rape during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (18 weeks if the woman is under 14 years old).<ref>{{cite web |title=Presidenta Bachelet presenta proyecto sobre despenalización del aborto terapéutico hasta las 12 semanas de gestación |url=http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2015/01/674-615019-9-presidenta-bachelet-presenta-proyecto-sobre-despenalizacion-del-aborto.shtml |access-date=2015-04-16 |archive-date=2015-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310075449/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2015/01/674-615019-9-presidenta-bachelet-presenta-proyecto-sobre-despenalizacion-del-aborto.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> On August 2, 2017, Congress approved the bill, reducing the allowable timeframe to 14 weeks in the case of a girl under 14 who has been raped.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=S.A.P. |first=El Mercurio |date=2 August 2017 |title=Gobierno logra la aprobación del proyecto de aborto en el Congreso pero deberá enfrentar al TC - Emol.com |url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2017/08/02/869488/Gobierno-logra-la-aprobacion-del-proyecto-de-aborto-en-el-Congreso-pero-debera-enfrentar-al-TC.html}}</ref> A request from the opposition to declare the law unconstitutional was rejected by the country's Constitutional Court in a 6-4 decision on August 21, 2017.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" />

The court ruling allowed health facilities to refuse to provide abortions by claiming "[[conscientious objector]]" status, although the bill, as approved by Congress, granted this right only to individuals.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> President Bachelet promulgated the law on September 14, 2017,<ref>{{cite web |last=S.A.P. |first=El Mercurio |date=14 September 2017 |title=Bachelet promulga ley de aborto en tres causales en uno de los actos más masivos en La Moneda - Emol.com |url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2017/09/14/875347/Bachelet-promulga-ley-de-aborto-en-tres-causales-en-uno-de-los-actos-mas-masivos-en-La-Moneda.html}}</ref> and it was published in the country's official gazette on September 23, 2017.<ref name="law" /> The Ministry of Health published a protocol for "conscientious objectors" on January 27, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 January 2018 |title=RES-61 EXENTA 27-ENE-2018 MINISTERIO DE SALUD |url=https://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1114188 |publisher=Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional |language=es}}</ref> Subsequently, medical coverage in both the public and private sectors became available on January 29, 2018.<ref name="coverage">{{cite web |date=28 January 2018 |title=Aborto en tres causales: Isapres comienzan a cubrir nuevas prestaciones relacionadas a esta norma |url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2018/01/28/892954/Ley-de-aborto-en-tres-causales-Isapres-comienzan-a-cubrir-nuevas-atenciones.html |publisher=Emol |language=es}}</ref><ref name="resolucion">{{cite web |date=27 January 2018 |title=RES-23 EXENTA 27-ENE-2018 MINISTERIO DE SALUD |url=https://www.leychile.cl/Navegar?idNorma=1114187&idVersion=2018-01-29 |publisher=Ley Chile - Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional |language=es}}</ref>

On March 23, 2018, the incoming administration of Sebastián Piñera made modifications to the protocol, allowing private health institutions receiving state funds to invoke conscientious objection.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 March 2018 |title=Diario Oficial |website=interior.gob.cl |url=https://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2018/03/23/42015/01/1371724.pdf |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> However, in May 2018, the [[Comptroller General of Chile|Office of the Comptroller General]] declared both versions of the protocol illegal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Contraloría declara ilegal el protocolo de objeción de conciencia para aborto |url=http://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/chile/2018/05/09/contraloria-declara-ilegal-el-protocolo-de-objecion-de-conciencia-para-aborto.shtml |website=BioBioChile - La Red de Prensa Más Grande de Chile}}</ref> In October 2018, the government published an amended protocol, reinstating the prohibition on private health institutions receiving state funds from invoking conscientious objection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gobierno publica reglamento a casi un año de promulgación de ley de aborto en tres causales « Diario y Radio Universidad Chile |url=https://radio.uchile.cl/2018/10/23/gobierno-publica-reglamento-a-casi-un-ano-de-promulgacion-de-aborto-en-tres-causales/}}</ref> Nevertheless, in December 2018, the Constitutional Court, acting on a request from a group of lawmakers supporting the sitting administration, deemed that specific section of the protocol unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2018 |title=TC declara inconstitucional el reglamento de objeción de conciencia de la ley de aborto |url=https://www.latercera.com/politica/noticia/tc-declara-inconstitucional-reglamento-objecion-conciencia-la-ley-aborto/434045/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2019 |title=TC entregó fundamentos de sentencia que acogió requerimientos que impugnaron Reglamento sobre objeción de conciencia de aborto en tres causales |url=https://www.diarioconstitucional.cl/2019/01/22/tc-entrego-fundamentos-de-sentencia-que-acogio-requerimientos-que-impugnaron-reglamento-sobre-objecion-de-conciencia-de-aborto-en-tres-causales/}}</ref>

== Women's health ==
An amendment made by the Chilean government to section 119 of the Health Code in 1989 stated that there could be no actions taken that would induce an abortion. This amendment was made due to the belief that with medical advances in maternal care, abortion was no longer seen as a necessary means of saving a woman's life.<ref name="unpd" />

Concern over high rates of abortion and high [[maternal mortality]] rates led the Chilean government to launch a publicly funded [[family planning]] program in 1964.<ref name="unpd">United Nations Population Division. (2002). [https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion Abortion Policies: A Global Review]. Retrieved 14 July 2006.</ref><ref name="shep">{{cite journal |author1=Shepard, Bonnie L. |author2=Casas Becerra, Lidia |title=Abortion Policies and Practices in Chile: Ambiguities and Dilemmas |journal=Reproductive Health Matters |volume=15 |issue=30 |pages=202–10 |year=2007 |pmid=17938085 |url=http://www.ssds.net/ssds-products/peer-reviewed-pubs/Shepard-et-al--Abortion-Policies-in-Chile.pdf |doi=10.1016/S0968-8080(07)30328-5 |s2cid=21685892 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724082425/http://www.ssds.net/ssds-products/peer-reviewed-pubs/Shepard-et-al--Abortion-Policies-in-Chile.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-24 }}</ref>  Deaths due to illegal abortions dropped from 118 to 24 per 100,000 live births between 1964 and 1979.<ref name="unpd" />

There was also a statistically significant decrease in maternal deaths due to abortion from 1990 to 2000.<ref>Donoso Siña, Enrique. (2004). [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/paho/pajph/2004/00000015/00000005/art00007?token=005e1d1f3c59eb34e64296d6222346b6268763050212a67232d45237b427a317b6f3b6b63477d77bd8d96d37c5787 The reduction in maternal mortality in Chile, 1990–2000]. ''Pan American Journal of Public Health, 15 (5).'' Retrieved March 25, 2007.</ref> Experts attribute the decline in hospitalizations due to abortion during this period to the increased use of [[asepsis|sterilization]] and [[antibiotic]]s by illegal abortion providers, the increased availability of the [[abortifacient]] drug [[misoprostol]], and the increased use of [[contraception]].<ref name="shep" /> In terms of accessibility, in 2002 it was noted that most of the family planning services were offered to married women.<ref name="unpd" />

A 2015 study by the Chilean epidemiologist Elard Koch has shown that the decreasing trend in maternal deaths due to abortion has continued through 2009.<ref>Koch, Elard. (2015).[http://www.melisainstitute.org/uploads/1/2/3/9/12398427/koch_2015_ilm_article.pdf The Epidemiology of Abortion And Its Prevention in Chile]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. ''Issues in Law & Medicine, Volume 30, Number 1, 2015.'' Retrieved November 08, 2016.</ref> These results challenge the common notion that less permissive abortion laws lead to greater mortality associated with abortion. Koch states that the increases in women's education and in community support programs for women with unplanned pregnancies have contributed to the reduction of induced abortions and maternal deaths in Chile.

In the period 2000 to 2004, abortion was the third leading cause of maternal mortality in the country, accounting for 12% of all maternal deaths.<ref name="MaternalMortality">{{cite journal|url=http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0717-75262006000400005|journal=Revista chilena de obstetricia y ginecología|year=2006|doi=10.4067/S0717-75262006000400005|access-date=2009-03-17|language=es|last1=Donoso s|first1=Enrique|title=Mortalidad Materna en Chile, 2000-2004|volume=71|issue=4|doi-access=free}}</ref> While there are no accurate statistics, it is estimated that between 2000 and 2002 there were between 132,000 and 160,000 abortions in the country.<ref name="humanas"/>

A 1997 study found that the majority of eighty women prosecuted in [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] for having an abortion were young, single mothers, and that many were domestic workers who had moved to the city from rural areas. It also found most of the women were reported to authorities by the hospital at which they sought treatment for their complications, and had no legal representation, or were defended by inexperienced law students.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0968-8080(97)90003-3 |author =Casas Becerra, Lidia |title=Women prosecuted and imprisoned for abortion in Chile |journal=Reproductive Health Matters|volume=5 |issue=9 |pages=29–36 |date=May 1997}}</ref>

== Public opinion ==
A July 2006 [[MORI]] survey found that 26% of Chileans believed that abortion is "justified", up from 18% in 1990.<ref name="liberal">{{cite web|url=http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13346 |title=Chileans Slowly Becoming More Liberal |date=October 2, 2006 |publisher=Angus Reid Global Monitor |access-date=January 10, 2006 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061015162854/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13346 |archive-date=October 15, 2006 }}</ref>

A July 2008 all-female nationwide face-to-face poll by [[NGO]] [[Corporación Humanas]] found that 79.2% of Chilean women were in favor of decriminalizing abortion when the life of the pregnant woman is at risk; 67.9% said it was urgent to legislate on the matter. According to the study, 74.0% of women believed abortion should be permitted in cases of rape, 70.1% in instances of fetal abnormality and 24% in all cases a woman decided it was appropriate.<ref name="humanas">{{Cite web|url=http://www.humanas.cl/documentos/345Informe_Encuesta_Humanas_Nov._2008.pdf|title=V Encuesta Nacional "Percepciones de las mujeres sobre su situación y condiciones de vida en Chile"|work=[[Corporación Humanas]]|date=July 2008|access-date=2009-03-16|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211105413/http://www.humanas.cl/documentos/345Informe_Encuesta_Humanas_Nov._2008.pdf|archive-date=2009-12-11}}</ref>

A March 2009 nationwide telephone poll published by ''[[La Tercera]]'' newspaper found 67% were against abortion, 19% in favor and 11% in favor only in extreme cases. Regarding abortion when the life of the pregnant woman is at risk, 48% were in favor, 3% only in extreme cases and 47% were against. In cases where the baby would be born with a defect or disease that would most likely cause the baby's death, 51% were against permitting an abortion, 45% were in favor and 2% only in extreme cases. 83% were against performing an abortion on an underage girl who had unprotected sex, while 14% were in favor. 57% were in favor of abortion in the case of rape, with 39% against it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://papeldigital.info/ltrep/|title=Los chilenos y el aborto|work=Reportajes de [[La Tercera]]|date=2009-03-22|access-date=2009-03-24|page=9|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324084352/http://papeldigital.info/ltrep/|archive-date=24 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

An October 2009 opinion poll published by [[Universidad Diego Portales]] and covering 85% of urban areas of Chile found that a majority were against abortion when the pregnant woman or couple did not have the economic means to raise a baby (80%), when the pregnant woman or couple did not want to have a baby (68%), and when the fetus had a "serious defect" (51%). On the other hand, a majority were in favor of abortion when the pregnant woman's health is at risk (63%) and in cases of rape (64%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.udp.cl/comunicados/1009/19/encuesta.htm |title=Encuesta Nacional UDP |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028153613/http://www.udp.cl/comunicados/1009/19/encuesta.htm |archive-date=2009-10-28 }}</ref>

A January 2017 opinion poll conducted by CADEM found that 57% wanted abortion to be allowed in only a few cases, while 19% wanted abortion illegal in all cases and 22% wanted it legal in all cases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Track semanal de opinión pública |url=http://www.cadem.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Track-PP158-Ene-S3-VF.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202075807/http://www.cadem.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Track-PP158-Ene-S3-VF.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=www.cadem.cl}}</ref> A majority were in favor of abortion when the woman's health is at risk (76%), when the fetus does not have a high probability of survival (72%), and when a woman is pregnant as a result of rape (71%), while only a minority supported abortion in cases of a fetus having a physical disability (36%) and in cases of a mother not being able to afford a child (20%).

In August 2021, a Cadem survey showed that 46% of Chileans agree with abortion within 14 weeks, 52% disapprove of the measure and another 2% did not know or did not respond.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meganoticias.cl/nacional/347948-cadem-apoyo-ley-aborto-libre-15-08-2021.html|title=Encuesta Cadem: Aumenta el apoyo a la Ley de Aborto Libre|date=15 August 2021}}</ref>

== Church influence ==
Around 66% of Chilean citizens identify themselves as members of the [[Catholic Church in Chile|Catholic Church]], and the government observes many Catholic holidays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chilean Culture - Religion |url=http://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/chilean-culture/chilean-culture-religion |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Cultural Atlas |date=January 2017 |language=en}}</ref> The Church has consistently maintained conservative views on abortion while supporting [[birth control]] as a means of preventing abortion.<ref name=":5" />  

In the 1960s, the Church supported [[family planning]] initiatives aimed at reducing [[Maternal death|maternal mortality]] rates and stemming the rapid population growth of the time.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Mooney |first=Jadwiga E. Pieper |date=2015-11-03 |title=Family Planning and Reproductive Rights in Chile |url=https://oxfordre.com/latinamericanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.001.0001/acrefore-9780199366439-e-103 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Latin American History |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.013.103 |isbn=978-0-19-936643-9 |doi-access=free }}</ref> During the [[Christian Democratic Party (Chile)|Christian Democratic]] government of the 1960s, the Church supported the use of contraceptive pills.<ref name=":5" /> With the military coup of [[Augusto Pinochet]], there was a return to a new conservative approach in the Catholic Church during the 1980s and 1990s, which is argued to still be strong today.<ref name=":7">Alvarez Minte, Gabriela (2017) The conservative resistance against women’s bodily integrity in Latin America : the case of Chile. [Thesis] (Unpublished) PhD_gabriela_alvarez_minte.pdf (bbk.ac.uk)</ref>

Today, Catholic arguments in the abortion debates often cite [[Pope Paul VI]]'s ''[[Humanae vitae]]'', an argument that asserts that there should be no unnatural intervention in family building between a man and a woman. This argument is mainly used against abortion but has also been used as an argument against birth control.<ref name=":7" /> However, this argument is not the sole view of Catholics in Chile. While the majority of Catholic leaders do not support abortion or contraceptives, there are arguments that find that practicing [[Sensus fidelium|''sensus fidel'']] or simply being faithful is enough and that ''Humanae vitae'' does not accurately reflect the necessity of modern-day practices.<ref name=":7" /> 

There are two important conservative Catholic groups that influence modern-day abortion dialogue: 

# [[Opus Dei]] is a Catholic organization that was formed in 1928 by St. [[Josemaría Escrivá|Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás]]. Opus Dei has a rigid structure to its approach towards Catholic practice and is against abortion. It has been criticized for aggressively recruiting elites, given that it was formed with highly influential and educated members. Opus Dei continues to enjoy the support of the [[Vatican City|Vatican]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opus Dei {{!}} Meaning, Beliefs, Members, & Controversy {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Opus-Dei |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
# The [[Legionaries of Christ]] is a Catholic organization formed in 1941 by [[Marcial Maciel]], a controversial figure who was asked by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] to step down from his priesthood duties in 2005 in light of accusations that he had committed abuse against minors. The Legionaries of Christ are known to recruit members and have influence in elite business sectors in Chile.<ref name=":7" />

These two groups are thought to have influence in more elite circles in Chile which then influence public opinion on abortion as well as policies regarding abortion access.<ref name=":7" />

== International reaction ==
In November 2004, the [[United Nations]] (UN) committee monitoring compliance with the [[International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights]] (CESCR) ruled that Chile should allow abortion in cases of rape and incest. In 2007, the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] expressed concern over the country's "improperly restrictive" legislation on abortion, especially in cases where the life of the mother is at risk.<ref name="LaTercera">{{cite web|url=http://latercera.com/contenido/654_110687_9.shtml|title=Organismos internacionales insisten en despenalizar aborto terapéutico en Chile|date=2009-03-17|access-date=2009-03-23|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219044503/http://latercera.com/contenido/654_110687_9.shtml|archive-date=2012-02-19}}</ref> The [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights]] also expressed concern over the country's "excessively restrictive abortion laws" in May 2009.<ref name="LaTercera"/>

==See also==
*[[Abortion debate]]
*[[Abortion in El Salvador]]
*[[Abortion in Nicaragua]]
*[[Reproductive rights in Latin America]] 

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Abortion in South America}}
{{Abortion}}

==External links==
*[https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Reglamento-IVE.pdf Protocol for "conscientious objectors" in Chile's abortion law]. Ministry of Health of Chile, October 2018 (in Spanish). ''[Note: Section 2 of Article 13 was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in December 2018.]'' ([http://web.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/protocolo-objeci%C3%B3n-de-conciencia.pdf January 2018 version].)

[[Category:Abortion in South America|Chile]]
[[Category:Abortion by country|Chile]]
[[Category:Society of Chile]]
[[Category:Women's rights in Chile]]
[[Category:Healthcare in Chile]]
[[Category:Law of Chile]]