Supporters say dangerous abortions have killed thousands in the country – but politicians have voted against changing the law.
(Sky News) Protesters have lit fires and thrown bottles at police after Argentina’s senate rejected a bill to legalise abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Thousands of pro and anti-abortion protesters in rival colours gathered in heavy rain outside Congress in Buenos Aires as politicians debated the proposal for 15 hours.
Officers fired tear gas as some protesters reacted angrily to the result, setting up flaming barricades and throwing bottles at police in riot gear.
Meanwhile, at the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral, a “mass for life” was held in support of keeping laws unchanged.
President Mauricio Macri, who is against abortion, had already said he would sign the bill after the country’s lower house chose to support it – but senators voted it down 38 to 31.
Abortion is illegal in the South American country except in cases of rape or risks to a woman’s health.