Colombian Congress debates constitutional amendment to ban abortion from conception

A group of legislators from the Conservative Party, the Salvation National Party and other pro‑life members introduced a bill to amend Article 11 of Colombia’s Constitution so that the right to life is protected from the moment of fertilisation. The proposal, backed by representatives Carol Borda, Sara Castellanos, Luis Miguel López and David Gerardo Cote, seeks to declare the unborn as a subject of special constitutional protection and to reverse the 2022 Constitutional Court ruling that de‑criminalised abortion up to 24 weeks.

Supporters argue the change is grounded in biology, international human‑rights norms and comparative constitutional experience. Opponents, including women’s‑rights organisations, contend that the amendment would restrict reproductive autonomy, undermine existing legal access to safe abortion and contravene the Inter‑American Court of Human Rights’ guidance on gradual protection of life in gestation.