• In May 2009, the Guanajuato State Congress passed a constitutional amendment protecting life from the moment of conception. The amendment threatens to eliminate the only remaining legal exception for abortion: rape. Legislators are attempting to make it a crime—punishable by imprisonment and fines—for a rape victim to terminate a pregnancy resulting from the assault.

• Between 2000 – 2008, 130 women in the state of Guanajuato were reported to the authorities, legally processed and sentenced to prison for the crime of abortion.

• Three rape victims who sought legal abortions under Guanajuato state law (and were denied the abortion by authorities) are serving sentences of 25 – 40 years for committing “homicide” against the product resulting from the assault.

• Not a single rape victim who has sought a legal, state-sponsored abortion has ever obtained one.

Las Libres Director Wins Human Rights Defender of the Year Award

In 2006, Human Rights Watch honored Centro Las Libres´ Executive Director Verónica Cruz Sánchez for her tireless work in promoting and protecting women’s reproductive rights in the state of Guanajuato. This prestigious honor recognizes Verónica’s work with women from disadvantaged communities who seek legal abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape. Only three activists worldwide are presented with this award each year.

Guanajuato Feminist Wins Human Rights Defender of 2006