Former President Leonel Fernández said his position is that the issue of abortion should remain as it is in the Penal Code. The Penal Code does not allow abortion in the Dominican Republic. Fernández believes that incorporating the three exceptions should be a decision of the Constitutional Court. The three exceptions are rape, incest and if the mother’s life is at risk. President Danilo Medina vetoed the restrictive clauses on abortion in the Penal Code revision passed by Congress and is in favor of including the three exceptions. The discussions have been ongoing in Congress for years.
In an interview on Telemicro, Channel 5, Fernández also commented on Haiti. He called Haiti “definitely a failed state in every sense.” He said Haiti has collapsed economically, politically and socially. Fernández explained that the situation and desperation in the neighboring country represent a great challenge for the Dominican Republic, especially for the strengthening of the border.
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Listin Diario
2 October 2019