Amnesty International (AI) warned on Tuesday that Moroccan state violates women’s human rights due to criminalization of abortion in the country, forcing many of them, even those who have suffered rape or abuse, to resort to dangerous methods of abortion.

In its latest report, the NGO describes devastating consequences about the abortion ban in Morocco and interviewed 33 women who had attempted the procedure, as well as representatives of humanitarian NGOs and professionals from both the health and legal sectors.

“Discriminatory Laws, Policies and Practices Morocco They deny women their right to independent decision-making and maintaining a social climate that forces women and girls to carry their pregnancies to term, despite the consequences,” explained AI’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. Amjad Yamin.

No state should dictate pregnancy decisions women or being deprived of basic sexual and reproductive health services are rights recognized international laws– because it “contributes to violence, poverty and systemic gender discrimination,” Yameen said.

“Moroccan organizations have been asking the country’s authorities for many years decriminalize abortion and ensure that no pregnant woman is subjected to abuse, humiliation, humiliation or risk of criminal penalties or social exclusion for accessing or attempting to access abortion services,” he added.

WHAT THE CRIMINAL CODE SAYS

He Criminal Code punishes between six months and two years imprisonment those who try to have an abortion in Morocco, in addition to fines. The procedure can only be carried out licensed surgeon and only in case mother’s life is in danger.

The legislation also provides ban on dissemination of information associated with termination of pregnancy by any means. This is an assumption “incitement to abortion”entails a penalty of imprisonment for up to two years, as well as fines.

Additionally, there are additional provisions that women face under the law, which penalize sexual relations outside of marriage. Likewise, medical personnel who perform such procedures outside the law are subject to lose your license and if there are lawsuits over this, the providers of these services do not respect patient confidentiality because they are seen forced to disclose information about operations.

The doctor assures the NGO that they have “hands tied”. “What can we do as healthcare professionals? Nothing. We can’t help women“, he points out, adding that “It’s frustrating not being able to provide help.” people who need it.

For all these reasons, many women forced to continue pregnancyincluding in cases of rape, which exacerbates social exclusion and poverty, while others resort to clandestine and dangerous methods of ending pregnancies.

UNSAFE, UNREGULATED, AND EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVES

Amnesty confirms that women who have no choice are looking for a way out unsafe alternatives, unregulated and costly, such as drug abuse, the use of dangerous chemical mixtures, and even physical violence, whether self-inflicted or on others. The four women interviewed by the NGO were hospitalized due to serious complications health due to trying spontaneous abortion.

headlight was raped by partner being unconscious due to a diabetic coma. Having discovered that she was pregnant, she turned to a gynecologist for help, although he refused to have an abortion. Besides, her boss left his position to avoid possible damage to the reputation of your business.

“I took all kinds of herbs and drinks to end the pregnancy.. I bought herbs from a herbalist, drank the infusions, felt excruciating pain and vomited. I felt like my bowels were rupturing, but I didn’t miscarry. One day I went to my room, undressed, and stuck a long stick into my vagina (…) For more than five months I tried everything, but to no avail. I even thought about suicide,” he told the NGO.

Amnesty warns that violence against women in Morocco”fosters a culture of impunity and allows criminals to operate freely rape, sexual harassment and gender-based violence within a couple.”

Ten more women told NGOs that they became pregnant after being raped by a stranger, a neighbor, or their boyfriend or husband. The criminalization of abortion also affects other cases, such as those who experience involuntary or unwanted pregnancies due to contraceptive failure or economic deprivation.

CHANGE IN THE CRIMINAL CODE

The Criminal Code provides for penalties of one month to one year in prison. sexual relations between unmarried people, as well as sentences of one to two years for adultery. Many women jailed for these crimes face barriers and stigmas when looking for work, which often leaves them socially isolated.

This is the case Wiam, widow with son and who was jailed for having sexual relations outside of marriage. “Because I am a mother and unmarried, I live in fear in my city, no one talks to me (…) The people of the city treat me worse than ever,” she says.