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VII. Conclusion

An unwanted pregnancy is distressing in any circumstances.  When it is the result of rape or incest, the pregnancy turns into a constant physical reminder of the violation of physical integrity that the woman or girl has already suffered.  Rape victims who are denied their right to voluntarily terminate the imposed pregnancy are denied not only their right to choose independently in matters related to abortion but also their right to justice and redress, and—in a broader sense—to human dignity.  In Mexico, public authorities at the state level have in many cases converted the denial of these rights into institutional policy.  At the federal level, abortion after rape is not seen as a priority, and certainly not as the essential human rights issue that it is.

Since 1998, international human rights entities have asked Mexico to overcome the persistent and pervasive impunity for domestic and sexual violence in that country, and to provide adequate redress and judicial remedies for these crimes.  Such redress, in Mexico and under authoritative interpretations of international law, includes unobstructed access to safe, legal and free abortion after rape or incest.  Mexico has the infrastructure and resources to provide such redress and should do so immediately.