Judge refuses to order abortion for 11yo

A judge in Uruguay has ruled it is not up to the courts to decide whether an 11-year-old mentally disabled girl has an abortion even though her mother sought its authorisation.

Judge Raquel Gini says the girl wants to "continue with the pregnancy" and to maintain her relationship with the 41-year-old man who is accused of sexually abusing her and is now imprisoned.

A court spokesman said on Friday that the judge determined that under Chilean law "a decision should be reached between the girl, her mother and the doctors".

The judge said doctors found the pregnancy poses no medical risks to the girl, although she lacks the ability to fully understand her situation.

In light of the court's ruling, the mother was expected to drop efforts to seek an abortion.