On Thursday, thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to protest against a controversial bill under debate in Congress that seeks to equate abortion with homicide, imposing sentences of up to 20 years for terminating a pregnancy after 22 weeks, even in cases of rape.
Conservative lawmakers expedited the bill to the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, bypassing committee discussions, which sparked outrage among progressive groups.
In Rio de Janeiro, protesters gathered, lighting candles and chanting slogans such as “A girl is not a mother.” Activist Vivian Nigri criticized lawmakers for prioritizing “the right of the fetus” over “the rights of a child.” She argued, “A child should not be forced to carry a pregnancy that is the result of rape.”
Demonstrators at the Rio de Janeiro Council House placed the names of congressmen on the stairs as part of their protest against the bill.
Currently, Brazilian law permits abortion in cases of rape without a time limit, when the woman’s life is at risk, or if the fetus has a brain abnormality. Outside these exceptions, abortion is punishable by up to four years in prison.
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The new bill, backed by an influential evangelical group, classifies any abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy as “simple homicide,” including in cases of rape. It proposes penalties of six to 20 years in prison, which is significantly harsher than the penalties for rapists.
This legislation could particularly impact young rape victims, who may be unaware of their pregnancy or afraid to come forward until after the 22-week mark.
No date has been set for the vote in the Chamber of Deputies.
Protests were also reported in other cities, including Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and Florianopolis, as documented by images shared on social media.
