Pregnant 10-year-old rape victim denied abortion by Paraguayan authorities

• Mother reported in January 2014 that stepfather was sexually abusing child
• Catholic country only allows abortion if pregnancy is ‘life-threatening’

Paraguayan authorities have ruled out abortion for a pregnant 10-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her stepfather, unless she develops complications that put her life in danger.

Despite a plea from the girl’s mother and an international outcry, senior medical officials in Asunción told the Guardian that more than 22 weeks into the pregnancy, there are no health risks that would allow doctors to circumvent the Catholic country’s stringent anti-abortion laws.

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