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Maria Teresa Rivera is an abortion rights activist from El Salvador. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison for 'aggravated homicide' in 2011 after having a miscarriage. She served 4 and a half years of her sentence before being released. In March 2017 Rivera and her 12 year old son were given asylum by the Swedish Migration Agency in fear that a prosecutors appeal of the decision to release her might lead to her returning to Prison.

There has been a blanket ban on abortion in El Salvador since 1998.

Early Life
River is from a small village called La Libertad. During the Civil War, Rivera's mother vanished, Rivera was 8 years old at the time. At the age of 8 Rivera was attacked and raped by a stranger while walking at night. Rivera and her brother soon after this incident went to live in an orphanage near the capital. Rivera completed high school education. Rivera worked in factories and retail jobs. In May 2005 Rivera has a baby boy. The relationship between Rivera and the baby's father broke down due to domestic violence. Rivera and her ex-mother-in-law maintained a strong relationship and brought up Rivera's son together.

Court Case
The Judge in Rivera's case noted two pieces of evident before giving a guilty verdict. Rivera's factory boss gave a testimony of how Rivera had confided in him in January 2011 about suspecting she was pregnant. The Judge concluded that Rivera was therefore aware of her pregnancy. The baby's autopsy report stated that the baby had been full term and died of prenatal asphyxiation. The judge inferred that the cause of asphyxiation was intentional smothering. The Judge sentenced Rivera to 40 years imprisonment. Rivera disputes the Judges decision saying had she known about the pregnancy she would have done everything possible to protect the baby.

Prison
While in prison Rivera was often called "baby killer". The prison was overcrowded. Rivera did small jobs in the prison such as cleaning toilets and collecting rubbish to earn some money. During her time in prison Rivera saw her son twice. The CFDA mount a legal defence against Rivera's being in prison however these appeals were rejected.

After Prison
Rivera was given immigration housing for herself and her son by the Swedish government.