Leftists will demonstrate today in front of the National Palace against the approval of the Penal Code

Santo Domingo.- Six left-wing organizations are demonstrating this Sunday in front of the National Palace in rejection of the project to modify the Penal Code that is being discussed in the National Congress, for not including the decriminalization of abortion in the three grounds. In a joint document, the groups stated that the Penal Code approved in first reading in the Senate represents a setback in fundamental rights, considering that it reinforces impunity against corruption, violates the rights of children, and attacks the right of women to decide over their bodies, as well as against the dignity of the person, contemplated in article 38 of the Constitution.

“It does not guarantee the life or dignity of women by excluding the three grounds, keeping the Dominican Republic among the five countries that absolutely penalize abortion,” they expressed. The movements indicated that the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), having a majority in Congress, has the power to push for significant changes to the Code, but what has been approved so far, they say, ignores the popular will expressed in public hearings and social mobilizations in favor of the decriminalization of abortion and against impunity. “Dominican Republic deserves a modern, consensual code that represents progress compared to the current legal framework. We will never accept the setback that the PRM wants to take us to. We demand that President Luis Abinader not promulgate that code,” they maintained. The document is signed by the Communist Party of Labor (PCT), Caamañista Movement (MC), Dominican Popular Movement (MPD), Homeland Party for All (PPT), Force of the Revolution (FR) and the Dominican Left Reference (RID). The Senate is about to consider in second reading the bill to reform the Penal Code, amid demands from different sectors, including feminists and social organizations, who insist on including the decriminalization of abortion under three specific circumstances: danger to the mother’s life, malformation incompatible with the life of the fetus, and pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.