MEXICO CITY — A ruling by Mexico’s supreme court has let stand a right-to-life amendment to the Baja California state constitution that says life begins at conception and effectively bans elective abortions in the northern border state.
The ruling means Mexican states are free to decide individually on the abortion question.
Sixteen of the 31 states have adopted right-to-life amendments. Only Mexico City has legalized abortion on demand in the first trimester.
Seven justices of the 11-member supreme court voted Wednesday to overturn the amendment, arguing it was a federal issue or could violate federally guaranteed rights.
But eight votes are needed to overturn a law on grounds of unconstitutionality.
