Brazil: Abortion Law
Brazilian law only permits abortion in cases of rape and danger to the woman’s life.
Background
Brazilian law only permits abortion in cases of rape and danger to the woman’s life. An abortion must be performed by a physician. If an abortion is performed in the case of a pregnancy resulting from rape, the consent of the pregnant woman must be obtained or, if she is incompetent, the consent of her legal representative. The legality of the performance of abortion in Brazil is governed by the Brazilian Penal Code, dating from 1940. Under the Code, a physician may perform an abortion when it is the only means to save the life of the pregnant woman or when the pregnancy is the result of rape. In the latter case, the pregnant woman must consent or, if she is incompetent, her legal representative must consent.
Illegal abortion in Brazil is punishable by one to four years of imprisonment for the person performing the abortion; the penalty is higher if the pregnant woman’s consent is not obtained, if the woman suffers serious injury or dies, or if the woman is under 14 years of age. Abortion performed by a pregnant woman on herself or performed by another person with her consent is punishable by one to three years’ imprisonment.
Brazil. Codigo Penal
Art. 123
Matar, sob a influência do estado puerperal, o próprio filho, durante o parto ou logo após: Pena - detenção, de 2 (dois) a 6 (seis) anos.
Aborto provocado pela gestante ou com seu consentimento
Art. 124
Provocar aborto em si mesma ou consentir que outrem lho provoque: Pena - detenção, de 1 (um) a 3 (três) anos.
Aborto provocado por terceiro
Art. 125
Provocar aborto, sem o consentimento da gestante: Pena - reclusão, de 3 (três) a 10 (dez) anos.
Art. 126
Provocar aborto com o consentimento da gestante: Pena - reclusão, de 1 (um) a 4 (quatro) anos.
Parágrafo único - Aplica-se a pena do artigo anterior, se a gestante não é maior de 14
(quatorze) anos, ou é alienada ou débil mental, ou se o consentimento é obtido mediante
fraude, grave ameaça ou violência.