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4 - Forms of Countermovement and Counter-Reform in Latin America

Judicial Backlash or Resources and Political and Legal Opportunities?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2022

Sandra Botero
Affiliation:
Universidad del Rosario, Colombia
Daniel M. Brinks
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
Ezequiel A. Gonzalez-Ocantos
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
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Summary

Through the study of processes of countermovement and counter-reform in the field of abortion law in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina over the past two decades, this chapter contributes to the discussion of backlash. In contrast to the judicial backlash thesis, it argues that the conservative reaction to abortion rights gains in Latin America cannot be explained as a direct or specific response to court decisions. Instead, the chapter presents an account of the development of countermovements and counter-reforms from a sociological perspective, by tracing them back to their interaction with political and legal opportunities. It identifies four types of counter-mobilization and counter-reform, based on the predominant and most successful strategies deployed by conservative actors against abortion rights in the case studies. Brazil is an emblematic case of conservative forces leveraging their legislative power via the formation of an inter-religious caucus at the national Congress. Mexico is a case of conservative pressure on subnational legislative processes. Colombia is a case of counter-legal mobilization by institutional activists anchored in national state structures. Finally, Argentina is the case in which counter-legal mobilization by civil society actors is most salient.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Limits of Judicialization
From Progress to Backlash in Latin America
, pp. 89 - 114
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

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Interviews

Ardila, Mariana (2019) Director of the Legal Area, Women’s Link Colombia. Bogota, November 29.Google Scholar
Bascary, Lourdes (2010) Member of the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS). Buenos Aires, December 20.Google Scholar
Batista, Jolúzia (2019) Senior Technical Advisor at Centro Feminista de Estudos e Assessoria (CFEMEA). Brasilia, August 23.Google Scholar
Beltrán, Alma, and de León, Fernanda Díaz (2011) Members of the Legal Area of GIRE. Ciudad de México, September 29.Google Scholar
Parcero, Cruz, Antonio, Juan (2011) Professor Institute of Philosophical Research-UNAM. Ciudad de México, September 14.Google Scholar
Cuéllar, Guillermo (2013) Director of Brújula Comunicaciones. Bogotá, February 21.Google Scholar
Díaz, Estela (2013) Gender Secretary, Confederation of Argentine Workers (CTA) and member of the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion. Buenos Aires, September 12.Google Scholar
Díaz de león, Fernanda (2019) Coordinator of Policy and Advocacy for Ipas Mexico. Ciudad de México, September 25.Google Scholar
Juliá, Silvia (2010) Executive Director at Catholics for Choice Argentina. Córdoba, December 18.Google Scholar
Lamas, Marta (2011) Director of Debate Feminista; ex Director of GIRE. Ciudad de México, September 29.Google Scholar
Martínez, Juliana (2019) Coordinator Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres. Bogotá, November 6.Google Scholar
Mazo, Sandra (2019) Director Catholics for Choice Colombia. Bogotá, November 7.Google Scholar
Mejía, María Consuelo (2017) Director of Catholics for Choice Mexico. Ciudad de México, August 5.Google Scholar
Méndez, Alex Ali (2019) Coordinator of the Case Documentation and Litigation Department at GIRE. Ciudad de México, September 24.Google Scholar
Moneta, Fátima (2019) Member of Catholics for Choice Mexico, Ciudad de México, September 26.Google Scholar
Negrão, Telia (2012) Executive Secretary of the National Feminist Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2006–2012). Porto Alegre, August 8.Google Scholar
Ortiz-Millán, Gustavo (2011) Professor Institute of Philosophical Research-UNAM, member of the College of Bioethics. Ciudad de México, September 26.Google Scholar
Rodrigues, Kauara (2012) Member of CFEMEA (Feminist Centre for Studies and Advisory Services). Brasilia, August 13.Google Scholar
Romero, María Eugenia (2019) Director of Equidad de Género, Familia y Trabajo. Ciudad de México, September 26.Google Scholar
Rondon, Gabriela (2019) Senior Legal Researcher at ANIS. Institute of Bioethics, Human Rights, and Gender. Brasilia, August 30.Google Scholar
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