Puerto Rico Signs Pro-Life Legislation
Governor Jennifer González Colón of Puerto Rico has signed a significant pro-life bill that designates unborn children as “natural persons” starting from the moment of conception.
This new legislation updates the territory’s criminal laws, recognizing unborn children as human beings. However, many on the left, including some doctors and activists in Puerto Rico, have voiced concerns that this measure could lead to stricter abortion laws.
In a statement, Republican González Colón emphasized that the bill “aims to maintain consistency between civil and criminal provisions by recognizing unborn children as human beings.”
This initiative, known as Senate Project 923, was greenlighted by the Puerto Rican Senate in January. It’s an amendment to Article 92 of the Penal Code, establishing that a fetus at any stage of pregnancy qualifies as a human being and a “natural person” in homicide cases.
According to Senator Rodriguez Vebe, “We are talking about reforming the Criminal Code… This kind of language in our public policy reaffirms that we are not just indefinable objects, but subjects developing human beings with dignity.”
Moreover, the law stipulates that intentionally killing a pregnant woman, resulting in the death of her unborn child, will be treated as first-degree murder.
The legislation was reportedly inspired by the tragic murder of Keishla Rodriguez, a pregnant woman killed in 2021 by her partner, Felix Verdejo, who is now serving two life sentences for the crime.
Supporters claim that the law doesn’t restrict access to abortion, which remains legal. Instead, they argue it aims to protect pregnant women by ensuring that penalties for offenses against them are more severe.
Nonetheless, Senate President Tomas Rivera Schatz, who introduced the bill, mentioned his support for future measures to further limit abortion access.
In Puerto Rico, the New Progressive Party (PNP) diverges from the typical leftist stance. For the PNP, “progressive” is more about social transformation and economic improvement through achieving statehood in the U.S. Their primary platform centers on the decolonization of Puerto Rico.
This party includes a diverse mix, from conservatives aligned with Republicans to social liberals and centrists who often find common ground with Democrats.
The Senate President highlighted, “If I have to legislate as many times and by any means necessary to protect lives, I will do it… I want this bill to further restrict abortion.”
Critics, like Rosa Segui Cordero, a spokesperson for a national campaign advocating for abortion rights, argue that the law undermines women’s rights. She remarked, “The fertilized egg has been given legal personality… We women have been stripped of our rights.”
Dr. Carlos Díaz Vélez, from Puerto Rico University, expressed worries that this legislation could lead to “defensive medicine,” suggesting that doctors may hesitate to treat certain pregnancy complications due to fear of criminal liability.
This isn’t the first time González-Colón has backed legislation appealing to conservative values. In July, she enacted laws that banned hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgeries for minors. Furthermore, she recently signed legislation that protects religious freedom, establishing penalties for disrupting religious activities.
