Nicaragua's Congress voted Thursday to ban all abortions, including those that could save a mother's life.

[link to edition.cnn.com]

Nicaragua's Congress voted Thursday to ban all abortions, including those that could save a mother's life.

If signed into law by President Enrique Bolanos, the measure would eliminate a century-old exception to Nicaragua's abortion ban that permits the procedure if three doctors certify that the woman's health is at risk.

Fifty-two lawmakers voted for the measure. Nine lawmakers abstained, and 29 others did not attend the legislative session.

Bolanos has proposed increasing prison sentences for illegal abortions -- currently around six years -- to 10 to 30 years for women who have the procedure as well as those who assist them.

But it was unclear whether he would sign the bill approved Thursday after lawmakers decided not to increase the penalties in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.

The bill has drawn protests from women's rights groups, and the Women's Autonomous Movement has said it was prepared to seek an injunction to block the measure if it passed.

Congress approved the bill despite receiving a letter from diplomats from the European Union and U.N. representatives asking lawmakers to hold off on voting on the issue until after the November 5 presidential elections.

U.N. official Rebeca Grynspan, who is in Nicaragua this week, told reporters, "It's very difficult that this [be determined] during an electoral period."

Nicaragua's medical association also urged legislators to postpone the vote, saying the issue had become politicized.