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Costa Rica’s Abortion Provisions

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Costa Rica’s Abortion Provisions

Costa Rica’s Abortion Provisions in Spanish

Costa Rica’s Abortion Provisions in English (Unofficial Translation)


Costa Rica’s Abortion Provisions in Spanish

Código Penal (1970), Ley Nº 4573 de 4 de mayo de 1970, Artículos 118-122 y 381

ARTÍCULO 118. Aborto con o sin consentimiento

El que causare la muerte de un feto será reprimido:

1) Con prisión de tres a diez años, si obrare sin consentimiento de la mujer o si ésta fuere menor de quince años. Esa pena será de dos a ocho años, si el feto (*) había alcanzado seis meses de vida intrauterina,

(*) (NOTA DE SINALEVI [1]:

En la redacción de este inciso es evidente la falta del adverbio de negación “no” para darle sentido a su objetivo. De la forma como aparece en el texto original carece de lógica, pues la pena es menor por un hecho más grave. Obsérvese que el inciso posterior sí contiene el adverbio indicado).

2) Con prisión de uno a tres años, si obrare con consentimiento de la mujer. Esa pena será de seis meses a dos años, si el feto no había alcanzado seis meses de vida intrauterina.

En los casos anteriores se elevará la respectiva pena, si del hecho resultare la muerte de la mujer.

ARTÍCULO 119. Aborto procurado.

Será reprimida con prisión de uno a tres años, la mujer que consintiere o causare su propio aborto. Esa pena será de seis meses a dos años, si el feto no había alcanzado seis meses de vida intrauterina.

ARTÍCULO 120. Aborto honoris causa.

Si el aborto hubiere sido cometido para ocultar la deshonra de la mujer, sea por ella misma, sea por terceros con el consentimiento de aquélla, la pena será de tres meses hasta dos años de prisión.

ARTÍCULO 121. Aborto impune.

No es punible el aborto practicado con consentimiento de la mujer por un médico o por una obstétrica autorizada, cuando no hubiere sido posible la intervención del primero, si se ha hecho con el fin de evitar un peligro para la vida o la salud de la madre y éste no ha podido ser evitado por otros medios.

ARTÍCULO 122. Aborto culposo

Será penado con sesenta a ciento veinte días multa, cualquiera que por culpa causare un aborto.

[…]

Artículo 381.-Se impondrá de diez a sesenta días multa a quien:

Pelea dual.

1) Interviniere en una pelea dual.

Participación en riña.

2) Tomare parte en una riña en la que intervengan dos o más personas.

Acometimiento a una mujer en estado de gravidez.

3) Acometiere o produjere una emoción violenta a una mujer en estado de gravidez, cuando el embarazo de la ofendida le constare o fuere evidente.

Comercio o anuncio de sustancias abortivas.

4) Comerciare o anunciare procedimientos, instrumentos, medicamentos o sustancias destinadas a provocar el aborto.


Costa Rica’s Abortion Provisions in English (Unofficial Translation)

Penal Code (1970), Law No. 4573 of May 4, 1970, Articles 118-122 and 381

ARTICLE 118. Abortion with or without consent

He who causes the death of a fetus shall be punished:

1) With three to ten years of prison, if he acts without the woman’s consent or if she is under fifteen years of age. That penalty will be two to eight
years if the fetus (*) has reached six months of intrauterine life,

(*)(NOTE OF SINALEVI[2]:

In the editing of this paragraph there is an obvious lack of the negating adverb “not” to make sense of this point. The way it appears in the original text is illogical, as the penalty is smaller for a more serious act. Note that the following paragraph indeed contains the indicated adverb.)

2) With one to three years of prison, if he acts with the woman’s consent. That penalty will be six months to two years, if the fetus has not reached six months of intrauterine life.

In the above cases the respective penalty shall be increased if the act results in the woman’s death.

ARTICLE 119. Procured abortion.

The woman who consents to or causes her own abortion shall be punished with one to three years of prison. That penalty will be six months to two years if the fetus has not yet reached six months of intrauterine life.

ARTICLE 120. Honoris causa abortion.

If the abortion is committed in order to conceal the woman’s dishonor, either by the woman herself, or by third parties with her consent, the penalty will be three months to two years of prison.

ARTICLE 121. Unpunished abortion.

Abortion performed by a doctor or by an authorized obstetrician with the woman’s consent is not punishable, when there is no other possible primary intervention, if it is performed with the goal of avoiding a danger to the life or health of the woman and it could not have been avoided by other means.

ARTICLE 122. Negligent abortion.

There will be sixty to one-hundred and twenty days’ fine, for whomever negligently causes an abortion.

[…]

ARTICLE 381.- Ten to sixty days’ fine shall be imposed upon anyone who:

Dual Fight.

1) Takes part in a dual fight.

Participation in a brawl.

2) Takes part in a brawl in which two or more people are involved.

Attacking a woman during pregnancy.

3) Attacks or causes a violent emotion in a pregnant woman, when the pregnancy of the victim was obvious.

Selling or advertising abortive substances.

4) Sells or advertises procedures, instruments, medications or substances designed to cause abortion.

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