SANTIAGO, Chile, July 10 (UPI) -- A Chilean lawmaker is pleading for modernization of his country's antiquated abortion laws in time to aid a pregnant 11-year-old rape victim.
Sen. Fulvio Rossi, who is also a licensed surgeon, told a news conference forcing an 11-year-old to proceed with a pregnancy amounts to torture, the Santiago Times reported.
"Is this girl -- who should be playing with dolls and occupied with her studies -- prepared [to be a mother]?" Rossi asked.
He said Chilean lawmakers have already demonstrated they can pass legislation quickly if necessary.
"If we are capable of getting a bill for political advertising for the primaries, how are we not capable of resolving this grave problem that this child faces?" Rossi said.
Chile is one of only six countries that outlaws all forms of abortion.
El Salvador made headlines last year for denying an abortion to a young girl with Lupus whose fetus had no brain.
