In El Salvador, three women serving 30 years in prison under the country’s strict anti-abortion laws have been released.  The three women had been convicted and sentenced to decades behind bars for having obstetric emergencies. 

San Salvador, December 28 (RHC)-- In El Salvador, three women serving 30 years in prison under the country’s strict anti-abortion laws have been released.  The three women had been convicted and sentenced to decades behind bars for having obstetric emergencies. 

El Salvador has had a total ban on abortion since 1998.  Dozens have been arrested and imprisoned, accused of inducing abortions after having stillbirths, miscarriages and other obstetric emergencies. 
The three women’s release comes after a November ruling from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights saying El Salvador’s government had violated the rights of a woman identified as Manuela, who was arrested in 2008 on charges of provoking an abortion and died in prison two years later.