Bolivia Deputy Néstor Rodríguez Proposes Sterilization of Homeless, Sparks Outcry

Bolivia’s deputy Néstor Rodríguez, a member of the Alianza Unidad party, introduced a bill aimed at people in street situations who struggle with drug addiction. The draft law calls for a National Integrated Social Reintegration Program that would provide medical care, addiction treatment, education, job training and, controversially, mandatory sterilization—or permanent contraceptives—to prevent births among vulnerable women.

Human‑rights organisations and the Defensoría del Pueblo condemned the proposal as forced sterilization that violates dignity, personal integrity, freedom, health and reproductive rights. The Inter‑American Court of Human Rights has affirmed that decisions about one’s body must be individual. Following criticism, Rodríguez said the wording might be changed to focus on permanent contraceptives rather than sterilization, but the bill continues to face strong opposition.