El Salvador woman freed after 15 years in jail for abortion
The 34-year-old former maid claims she suffered a stillbirth
A 34-year-old El Salvador woman was released yesterday after spending 15 years in jail on charges of inducing an abortion.
Maira Veronica Figueroa was sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated murder in 2003.
She maintained her innocence, saying she suffered a late-term miscarriage in a house where she was working as a maid. After being taken to a hospital, she was arrested and later sentenced, despite a lack of witnesses or direct proof.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Figueroa’s release “puts the spotlight on El Salvador’s total ban on abortion as the Central American nation faces mounting international pressure to overturn its strict law and release other women jailed for abortion-related crimes”, says Reuters.
Since the Catholic-majority nation banned abortion in 1998, dozens of women “have been accused of having illegal terminations after experiencing obstetric emergencies” and later convicted of murder, says The Guardian. The ban on abortion includes cases of rape, incest and when the woman’s life is at risk.
Five other countries in Central America also prohibit all abortions. But although El Salvador is not alone in having a blanket ban, “the country is particularly strict in the way it enforces it”, says BBC.
At least another 27 women are currently in jail under the country’s abortion law, according to the rights group Citizen Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion (CFDA). Rights groups say many of these women were wrongly imprisoned after suffering miscarriages, stillbirths or pregnancy complications.
Nancy Northup, head of the US-based Center for Reproductive Rights, which campaigned for Figueroa to be freed, yesterday said in a statement: “It is inconceivable that Maira spent almost 15 years in prison for experiencing a pregnancy complication.
“While we celebrate Maira’s release today, we condemn the government of El Salvador for not acknowledging the lack of due process and failing to recognize her innocence.”
Although Figueroa was freed early, her conviction has not been overturned, meaning she is still considered guilty of murder.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The African asylum seekers fighting for Israel in Gaza
Under the Radar 'Quid pro quo' recruitment offer condemned as unethical as Israel seeks to address shortage of soldiers
By The Week Staff Published
-
Instagram rolls out teen accounts with new limits
Speed Read After facing pushback over child safety, Meta announced that all users under 18 will have their Instagram accounts modified
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona official sues to bar 100K from local voting
Speed Read A large number of residents who have not submitted citizenship documents might be prevented from voting in the battleground state's elections
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Zelenskyy says 31,000 troops dead in 2 years of war
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare official military death toll
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published