Puerto Rico’s Governor Signs Law Recognizing Unborn Children as Human Beings

On Thursday, Puerto Rico’s Republican Governor Jennifer Gonzalez enacted a legal reform bill that acknowledges unborn children as human beings. However, this move faces criticism, with opponents expressing concern that it could eventually lead to the banning of abortion in the territory.

Governor Gonzalez mentioned in a statement that the aim of the legislation is to ensure “consistency between civil and criminal provisions by recognizing unborn children as human beings.”

The recently amended Senate Bill 923 updates the Puerto Rican criminal code focused on the definition of murder. It stipulates that it would be classified as first-degree murder if a suspect deliberately kills a pregnant woman, resulting in the unborn child’s death at any point during the pregnancy.

The bill is named after Keishla Rodriguez, who was murdered in April 2021. Her partner, a former boxer named Felix Verdejo, has been convicted of her murder and has received two life sentences.

Supporters of the law argue it centers around creating uniformity in legal definitions and increasing penalties for crimes against pregnant women, asserting that it doesn’t aim to touch on abortion. Critics, however, believe it may set the stage for the criminalization of abortion in Puerto Rico, where it’s currently legal.

“Now, the fertilized egg has been given legal personality,” Rosa Segui Cordero, a lawyer and representative for the National Campaign for Free, Safe and Accessible Abortion in Puerto Rico, stated. She emphasized, “We women have been stripped of our rights.”

Dr. Carlos Díaz Vélez, who leads the Puerto Rico University of Medicine, warned that the new law might lead to “defensive medicine,” suggesting that doctors may hesitate to treat complex pregnancies due to fears of criminal liability for murder. He believes this could create serious challenges in medical practice.

According to Dr. Díaz, the law also allows outside parties to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship, which he argues violates patient privacy. He stated that the healthcare system isn’t prepared for the implications of this law.

Critics point out that this amendment was passed without any public hearings, raising concerns about its legitimacy. Annette Martínez Orabona, executive director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico, criticized the legislative process, remarking, “This bill did not go through proper analysis before it was approved, leaving unacceptable ambiguity regarding civil rights.” She called out both the governor and legislative leadership for failing the public in this regard.