ACTION IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN OF EL SALVADOR
FROME GROUP HELD AN ACTION IN FROME ON 26TH SEPTEMBER IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN IN EL SALVADOR.
The total ban on abortion in El Salvador means that women who have suffered miscarriages or stillbirths may be charged with homicide and given lengthy terms of imprisonment.
Supporters were invited to sign a cardboard key attached to a ribbon. They would form part of a sculpture with solidarity messages for Amnesty El Salvador's week of action in November. Pictures of the sculpture will be shared with the women in prison so they know they are not alone. The entire art piece, which is in the shape of a tree growing in a cage, will be delivered to the Minister of Justice and Public Security as Amnesty urge him to free all women that are imprisoned after suffering complications with their pregnancies.
Maria Teresa Rivera is serving a 40 year prison sentence following a miscarriage.
Teodora del Carmen Vasquez has spent more than 7 years in jail following a conviction of aggravated homicide after suffering a still-birth. She was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2008 and an appeal for pardon was denied in January this year.
(If you would like to take action in her support, she will be part of the Write for Rights Campaign which starts on 1st November – visit www.amnesty.org.uk/right after this date.)