http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4500245.stm
Florida girl has abortion blocked
By Jeremy Cooke
BBC News, New York
A pregnant 13-year-old girl in Florida has been told she cannot have an
abortion because she lacks the maturity to make such a decision.
A state court granted an injunction which prevents the girl from terminating
her pregnancy.
She is three months pregnant and had planned to have an abortion on Tuesday
of this week.
The American Civil Liberties Union says it will launch an urgent appeal
against the ruling.
'Too young to choose'
Florida's department of children and families intervened and took the matter
to court, arguing the teenager, who is under the care of the state, is too
young and immature to make an informed medical decision. Judge Ronald
Alvarez in Palm Beach accepted that argument and has granted a temporary
injunction and psychological evaluation, which effectively blocks her from
terminating the pregnancy.
It is a case which, once again, plays into the heated and divisive debate
about abortion in America.
The judge's ruling comes in spite of Florida state law which specifically
does not require a minor to seek parental consent before an abortion.
The American Civil Liberties Union 's executive director in Florida, Howard
Simon, said forcing a 13-year-old to carry on an unwanted pregnancy to term,
against her wishes, is not only illegal and unconstitutional, it is cruel.
