This week, the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) and opposition senators passed the Penal Code without the three grounds for abortion. The bill still needs the votes of the Chamber of Deputy, where the PRM is also majority. The recent death of a 16-year old student from the municipality of Higuey, has fueled the abortion debate in Congress. The girl is suspected to have taken pills to induce an abortion.
While the wealthy can travel abroad for a legal abortion, most people in the country cannot afford a legal interruption of a pregnancy and resort to home remedies, many times with tragic endings, as in the case of student Esmeralda Richiez.
The parents say they have evidence of the involvement of the child’s professor, John Kelly Martinez, who was arrested. Having sex with a minor is a criminal offense in the Dominican Republic. Kelly Martinez taught her mathematics at the Instituto Agropecuario de Higüey, a polytechnical located in the municipality of La Otra Banda.
The death of Richiez has encouraged those who support Congress passing the three-grounds for abortion and these have revved up their demands for women’s rights.
The legislature closed on 15 February 2023 without time for the Chamber of Deputies to pass the Penal Code. Congress resumes on 27 February 2023.
Most Chamber of Deputies have not voted for the three grounds for abortion, even when these are accepted in most countries.
National District senator Faride Raful said when speaking on the Esta Noche con Mariasela variety TV show that despite feeling ill, the current Penal Code criminalizes any attempt at abortion, which would have discouraged Richiez from seeking medical help. Raful is a strong advocate of the three grounds.
As reported in Hoy, feminist groups say that the death of the adolescent Esmeralda Richiez, should call for reflection of the deputies.
The feminist groups say that if President Abinader enacts the Penal Code without the three grounds, they will take the issue to the Constitutional Court.
During his two terms in government, Abinader’s predecessor, former President Danilo Medina vetoed the amendments to the Penal Code specifically for not including the three grounds for abortion. Medina has a daughter who is a doctor.
Meanwhile, the feminists reiterate they will radicalize their struggle and prepare actions to take to the streets to demand that abortion be decriminalized in special circumstances.
Meanwhile, the results of the autopsy of the body of Richiez are pending. There is speculation the child could have been pregnant of her professor, 35-year old John Kelly Martinez. Media and family suspect the child died from the effects of taking of abortion tablets without medical supervision.
Richiez’s dead body was found the next day in the bathroom of her home in Higuey. An audio shared by a close friend reveals the plight of the child who apparently bled to death.
The mother said that her daughter had asked for permission to go out at 8pm with three friends and her teacher, John Kelly Martinez. The teacher could face 20 years in jail.
The Ministry of Education suspended Kelly Martinez from his position for 90 days without pay for investigations.
Read more in Spanish:
Esta Noche con Mariasela
Diario Libre
Hoy
El Dia
El Nacional
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
El Dia
Listin Diario
16 February 2023