Rape victim, 11, in Brazil legally aborts child after procedure blocked for weeks

An 11-year-old girl who was raped in Brazil has been given a legal abortion after it was initially blocked by a judge for weeks.

Doctors had initially refused to perform the procedure because the child was in her 22nd week of pregnancy.

But prosecutors in the state of Santa Catarina told the Associated Press (AP) that a hospital had "measures to interrupt the minor’s pregnancy" after a formal request was made on behalf of the girl’s family.

The girl, who was 10 when she was raped, was in her 29th week when the abortion was carried out on Wednesday.

Anti-abortion activists claim Health Ministry recommendations urge a 20 to 22-week limit on the procedure.

But a lawyer for the family of the child said Brazilian law makes no mention of a limit in the case of rape victims or when a woman’s life is in danger.

There was outrage against Judge Joana Ribeiro Zimmer for her actions in the case and calls for her to be removed from her position.

Brazil’s judicial watchdog agency said it would investigate Ms Zimmer for asking the child at a filmed hearing in May whether she understood how pregnancies happen and suggesting the girl should "hold on a little more" to save the fetus.

The girl repeatedly said she did not want to give birth.

Ms Zimmer said in a statement Wednesday that she "will not speak about parts of the hearing, which were illegally leaked”.

She also said she will remain silent about the case "to assure the due and full protection to the child.

Brazilian law allows abortions in three instances: rape; risk to the mother’s life; and cases of anencephaly, in which a fetus has no functioning brain.