Brazilian lawmakers have voted to make it more difficult for underage victims of sexual violence to access abortion services, following a fast-tracked legislative process that reportedly involved less than two minutes of debate.
The vote seeks to overturn a resolution issued by the National Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, which prioritised the rights and interests of child and adolescent victims of sexual violence.
The decision has drawn criticism from child rights advocates and government agencies, who warn that it could weaken legal protections for vulnerable minors.
In a statement, the National Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents described the vote as "a historic defeat in the comprehensive protection of girls and adolescents in Brazil" and called it a "serious setback" for children's rights.
Under the now-overturned regulation, minors who disagreed with their parents or legal guardians regarding a pregnancy resulting from sexual violence could receive free legal assistance to protect their rights, including access to a legal abortion where permitted under Brazilian law.
Supporters of the legislative change argue that parents and guardians should play a central role in decisions involving minors.
Right-wing Senator Damares Alves defended the move, stating that the previous regulation "disregards the role and strips away the authority of parents and guardians to decide on the care of girls and adolescents in situations of sexual violence."
Brazil maintains strict abortion laws, with the country's penal code prescribing penalties of up to four years in prison for illegal abortions. However, exceptions exist in cases involving rape, threats to the mother's life, or severe fetal brain malformations.
According to AFP, both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies have approved the measure. However, the proposal must still overcome a final legislative hurdle before becoming law, requiring additional approval from political allies of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.
The development has intensified debate across Brazil, with supporters framing the measure as a reinforcement of parental authority, while critics argue it could further limit access to essential legal and healthcare protections for underage victims of sexual violence.
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