Team—

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has announced a landmark ruling in our case, Manuela v. El Salvador, ordering the State of El Salvador to reform legal and health care policies, which have historically criminalized women for seeking reproductive health care.

In its ruling, the Court condemned El Salvador for the arbitrary criminalization of our client Manuela, who attempted to access reproductive health services during an obstetric emergency. Manuela died in prison two years later from cancer, after receiving an inadequate medical diagnosis and treatment.

With its decision, the Court announced that health providers can no longer report people seeking reproductive health care, including abortions, to law enforcement. This is the first time this kind of protection has been established for the region.

It is only with the unwavering support of allies like you that we're able to take on cases like this one before courts and human rights bodies around the globe. Thank you for your partnership.

As part of the decision, the Court has recognized the need for reproductive health care policy reform throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This ruling will save lives and ensure legal protection for both women and health care providers, who have historically been at risk due to the criminalization of sexual and reproductive health services.

Along with our partners in the case, Colectiva Feminista para el Desarrollo Local and Agrupación Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto, we join Manuela's family in honoring her today and celebrating this long-awaited victory.

Sincerely,

Catalina Martínez Coral
Senior Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean