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4 clusters · 34 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Chile 'Listen to Your Heart' abortion bill backlash

Overview

Chile’s lower house continues debating the right‑wing amendment to the 2017 abortion law, now called “Escucha su corazón” (Listen to Your Heart). The proposal would require physicians to inform women of any detectable fetal heartbeat, offer them the chance to hear it, and record the decision in the clinical file. If a heartbeat is audible and the woman declines to listen, doctors must refuse the procedure, even in cases currently permitted (maternal risk, fetal inviability, rape).

Health‑care unions, the College of Midwives, and feminist organisations have denounced the measure as “deeply revictimising” and a setback for reproductive rights, calling on Congress to halt it. Former women’s minister Antonia Orellana and other critics label it “legislative cruelty.” Actress Amaya Forch disclosed a decades‑old rape and used her experience to condemn the bill, reinforcing claims that the amendment forces survivors to relive trauma.

Parliamentary opposition grew when Deputy Ximena Ossandón withdrew her signature on 20 July 2026. A Criteria poll released later showed 54 % of Chileans strongly reject the initiative, with opposition strongest among left‑leaning respondents. Government ministries have again declined comment, referring the issue to parliament.

Entities

Escucha su corazón law · Chile · Republican Party (Chile) · College of Midwives and Midwives of Chile · Ximena Ossandón

Timeline

  1. 22 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Chile debates 'Escucha su corazón' abortion law amid professional opposition and public survey

    Chile's proposed law requiring women to hear a fetal heartbeat before a legal abortion faces strong opposition from the College of Midwives and a majority public poll (54% disapprove), while right‑wing parties,

  2. 29 days ago

    [POLITICS] 10 sources
    Chile's 'Listen to Your Heart' bill faces backlash after actress Amaya Forch discloses rape

    Amaya Forch’s rape disclosure fuels criticism of Chile’s “Escucha su corazón” bill, which would force women to hear fetal heartbeats before abortion; health workers and rights groups call it revictimizing.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 13 sources
    Chile Parliament Pushes Bill Requiring Women to Hear Fetal Heartbeat Before Legal Abortion

    Chile's Congress is debating a bill that would force doctors to let women hear a fetal heartbeat before a legal abortion, with refusal barring the procedure. Critics call it cruel, and several right‑wing back‑s

  4. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 10 sources
    Chile Bill Would Require Women Hear Fetal Heartbeat Before Abortion

    Chile's right‑wing deputies propose a bill forcing doctors to let women hear a fetal heartbeat before a legal abortion, barring the procedure if declined; critics call it cruel and inhuman.

Sources

brasilemfolhas.com · brasilemfolhas.com.br · concierto.cl · diarioconcepcion.cl · elciudadano.cl · elclarin.cl · eldiario.es · elfrente.com.co · elinformadorchile.cl · elpais.com · elperiscopio.cl · elreferente.cl · elsuburbanodigital.com.ar · finde.latercera.com · g5noticias.cl · glorioustrainwrecks.com · home.dgabc.com.br · ilfattoquotidiano.it · ilustrado.cl · inimigo.publico.pt · internacional.estadao.com.br · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · lahora.cl · lapatria.bo · latercera.com · lavozdemaipu.cl · madero.cl · piensachile.com · prensa-latina.cu · pschile.cl · publimicro.cl · rionegrotur.com.ar · surenio.com.ar · tplmoms.com