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Abortion in BelizeAbortion in Belize is restricted by criminal law, but permitted under certain conditions. StatisticsAs of 2017, the most recent statistics available regarding abortion in Belize are from 1996.[1] During that year, 2,603 abortions were reported, along with 6,678 live births.[2] 5% of hospitalizations were due to abortion during that year, making it the fourth highest cause of hospitalization.[2] Due to legal restrictions against abortion, as well as its significant financial cost, illegal abortions are common in Belize, especially for low-income women.[3] In 1998, an estimated one in seven maternal deaths in Belize were due to unsafe, illegal abortions.[4] Legal statusAbortion in Belize is governed by sections 108–110 of the Criminal Code (enacted December 1980). Abortion is considered a criminal offense except when performed by a registered medical practitioner under certain conditions. The sentence for performing an illegal abortion in Belize is life imprisonment.[5] Abortion is permitted under the following circumstances:[5]
In addition, the law states that "account may be taken of the pregnant woman's actual or reasonably foreseeable environment", suggesting that abortions can be performed on socioeconomic grounds.[5] Belize does not provide an explicit exception for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest.[5] See alsoReproductive rights in Latin America References
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