Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said on Thursday he would veto a bill that seeks to increase abortion penalties to up to 25 years in prison and prohibit same-sex marriage, calling it unconstitutional and in violation of international conventions.

The bill, revived by the conservative Viva Party after being put on ice in 2018, was passed late Tuesday by lawmakers from different parties, including some allies of Giammattei.

"I have spoken with the president of the legislative body to ask that Congress shelve this law, and, if it is not, I have decided that if this law reaches my office it will be vetoed," the president said in a video broadcast on national networks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guatemala-law-punishes-abortion-with-prison-for-up-to-25-years-460621">Also read |&nbsp;Guatemala law punishes abortion with prison for up to 25 years</a>

Giammattei said the bill had not been backed by his administration and he couldn't support it because it would violate two international conventions of which&nbsp;Guatemala&nbsp;is a signatory as well as the country's constitution.

If passed, it would increase the penalties for abortions from five to 10 years to up to 25 years, ban same-sex marriage and teaching about gender identity or "teaching about sexual conducts apart from heterosexuality as being normal."

The proposal has been criticized by human rights groups, which have taken to the streets in recent days to protest.

The president announced his intentions to veto the bill hours after hosting an event with evangelical pastors in which he declared&nbsp;Guatemala&nbsp;the "pro-life capital of Iberoamerica."

Giammattei's recommendation to sideline the bill will be discussed in Congress next week. If two-thirds of the 160 lawmakers vote to move the bill forward, it will be sent to the president's desk to be vetoed.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said on Thursday he would veto a bill that seeks to increase abortion penalties to up to 25 years in prison and prohibit same-sex marriage, calling it unconstitutional and in violation of international conventions.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said on Thursday he would veto a bill that seeks to increase abortion penalties to up to 25 years in prison and prohibit same-sex marriage, calling it unconstitutional and in violation of international conventions. The bill, revived by the conservative Viva Party after being put on ice in 2018, was passed late Tuesday by lawmakers from different parties, including some allies of Giammattei. "I have spoken with the president of the legislative body to ask that Congress shelve this law, and, if it is not, I have decided that if this law reaches my office it will be vetoed," the president said in a video broadcast on national networks. Also read | Guatemala law punishes abortion with prison for up to 25 years Giammattei said the bill had not been backed by his administration and he couldn't support it because it would violate two international conventions of which Guatemala is a signatory as well as the country's constitution. If passed, it would increase the penalties for abortions from five to 10 years to up to 25 years, ban same-sex marriage and teaching about gender identity or "teaching about sexual conducts apart from heterosexuality as being normal." The proposal has been criticized by human rights groups, which have taken to the streets in recent days to protest. The president announced his intentions to veto the bill hours after hosting an event with evangelical pastors in which he declared Guatemala the "pro-life capital of Iberoamerica." Giammattei's recommendation to sideline the bill will be discussed in Congress next week. If two-thirds of the 160 lawmakers vote to move the bill forward, it will be sent to the president's desk to be vetoed.

Guatemala president vows to veto abortion, same-sex marriage bill

Guatemala's Congress approved on Tuesday a law that punishes abortion with up to 25 years in prison and prohibits same-sex marriage and teaching about sexual diversity in schools.

Proposed by the conservative Viva Party, the law for the protection of life and the family was unexpectedly approved by a large majority of lawmakers including allies of President Alejandro Giammattei.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guatemala-volcano-erupts-but-no-evacuations-yet-415407">Also read |&nbsp;Guatemala volcano erupts but no evacuations yet</a>

The legislation had been on ice since 2018 and still has to be published in the official gazette to come into force.

The penalty for an abortion was increased from between five to 10 years to 25 years - except when the life of the mother is in danger.

The law also prohibits teaching children and young adults about sexual diversity and gender ideology and stipulates that no orientations other than heterosexuality are "normal", the draft text shows.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/on-womens-day-hundreds-march-against-gender-based-violence-femicide-in-mexico-460455" hreflang="en">On women's day, hundreds march against gender-based violence, femicide in Mexico</a>

Activists and some politicians have criticized the law, which was passed on International Woman's Day.

Guatemala's human rights ombudsman, Jordan Rodas, said he would challenge it on human rights grounds.

"It violates human rights, it violates the international agreements ratified by&nbsp;Guatemala, it is a setback to freedoms," Rodas told reporters outside Congress.

Some lawmakers argued that the law promotes hatred, homophobia and unfairly criminalises women.

Guatemala's Congress approved on Tuesday a law that punishes abortion with up to 25 years in prison and prohibits same-sex marriage and teaching about sexual diversity in schools.

Guatemala's Congress approved on Tuesday a law that punishes abortion with up to 25 years in prison and prohibits same-sex marriage and teaching about sexual diversity in schools. Proposed by the conservative Viva Party, the law for the protection of life and the family was unexpectedly approved by a large majority of lawmakers including allies of President Alejandro Giammattei. Also read | Guatemala volcano erupts but no evacuations yet The legislation had been on ice since 2018 and still has to be published in the official gazette to come into force. The penalty for an abortion was increased from between five to 10 years to 25 years - except when the life of the mother is in danger. The law also prohibits teaching children and young adults about sexual diversity and gender ideology and stipulates that no orientations other than heterosexuality are "normal", the draft text shows. Also see | On women's day, hundreds march against gender-based violence, femicide in Mexico Activists and some politicians have criticized the law, which was passed on International Woman's Day. Guatemala's human rights ombudsman, Jordan Rodas, said he would challenge it on human rights grounds. "It violates human rights, it violates the international agreements ratified by Guatemala, it is a setback to freedoms," Rodas told reporters outside Congress. Some lawmakers argued that the law promotes hatred, homophobia and unfairly criminalises women.

Guatemala law punishes abortion with prison for up to 25 years

guatemala-abortion-law

Guatemala Abortion Law, News on Guatemala Abortion Law, stories on Guatemala Abortion Law, articles on Guatemala Abortion Law, Guatemala Abortion Law stories at Wion, Guatemala Abortion Law news, Guatemala Abortion Law latest news

guatemala abortion-law

Guatemala president vows to veto abortion, same-sex marriage bill

Guatemala law punishes abortion with prison for up to 25 years