In Argentina, a new civil code is being put on the congressional table for discussion. The current code was established in 1871 and the changes made to it since have been partial and patchy. To keep with the times, the government has decided to re-address certain aspects of the code in order to update it and give it a “South American vision”. Some of the changes being debated circle around marriage, divorce, adoption, and assisted fertilisation.

These are big adjustments that will affect Argentines for many years to come, so we hit the streets to see what the people think over the proposed reforms and what it will mean for the country.

Portraits by Diego Cupolo.

Nacho Viturro, 37, seller and musician, Pinamar

I think it’s good – surely we need to adapt to new ways. These are rules that have been around for 500 years (sic), rules that are strict and that are being preached by some who abuse their power. Most of it comes from our history as a Catholic nation and those things may not apply anymore. The reform will be good for Argentina to grow, to move away from that. The reform addresses that every life is different and that certain institutions have no right to impose how we should live.

Maria Ofelia, 57, knitter and artisan, Constitución

The change is important to integrate everyone with different lives, different ways of living, and to have the option to choose how to live. Adoption and marriage (especially for homosexuals) are issues that need to be looked at, evaluated and integrated into our civil code. With divorce, each person has the right to say whether or not to stay with someone, it’s the right to choose. You have the right to choose. When it comes to the age of a family who is looking to adopt, being younger does not mean that you are immature. It should depend on the people, on the couple -not the age.

Trinidad González, 60, coffee seller, San Telmo

I do not totally agree with everything that the reform will address or the law in general. I am not for certain marriage unions, but that’s just me. When it comes to being a couple, when it comes to marriage or separating, it’s up to each person in the relationship, how they wish it to be. For me, an important thing is to help those that want to have children with the aid of medicine, to have children. Here, it is expensive, so I think that some help would be good. I have people close to me who are single and want to have children. It’s just not an option for them.

Marcia Lanzrutti, 52, newspaper seller, Lanús

I think the whole thing is great but the one thing I do not agree with is that there is no punishment for those who practice infidelity. I do not understand that, there should be consequences for that. When I am with someone, I am with someone. Everything else that I have read about the reforms, because it is a long list with a lot of big changes to look into, looks good. Choices are important. If you are with someone who treats you badly, you should be able to leave.

Esteban Molina, 37, painter, San Telmo

I am not totally informed about the reforms. I would need to be more informed about the changes to have a proper opinion. I think that changes do need to be made. For a long time, we have been using an outdated code and a more modern way of doing things is important for the evolution of ideas. I think a less conservative way of doing things is good. For example, when someone lives with someone but is not married, they should still have rights as a couple. This thought has been around for a long time, for centuries. We already know these things and it is not an uncommon thought. We would like something a little less structured. It’s a process and debating the new code is a good thing.

Venezuela was accepted as a full member of Mercosur on 31^st July, after a 6-year wait. Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay welcomed the oil rich nation with open arms; however, Paraguay remains suspended from Mercosur and was unable to vote, leading to accusations of illegality around Venezuela’s acceptance. We took to the streets of Buenos Aires to ask the public what they thought about Mercosur’s new member.

Portraits by Amy Cooper Goodrich

Graciella Bie, 64, architect, La Plata

The incorporation of Venezuela into the bloc seems like a really good thing to me. I think it’s a really interesting development in terms of strengthening all of South America and I think it’s going to be good for the region, especially in terms of oil.

I don’t agree that it was wrong to make the decision without Paraguay. Paraguay broke their constitution in ejecting Lugo so they don’t deserve to vote. Mercosur should still be able to function as in institution while turning their back on Paraguay. It’s not personal, it’s about the bigger picture. In the current context it’s necessary to stick together as a body, like Europe is doing, I think it’s excellent.

Juan Vicente Tapia, 62, caretaker, San Telmo

I think all the countries in South America shoud be united and the inclusion of Venezuela in Mercosur is a good thing. Paraguay have done something undemocratic in ousting the president by force and they don’t deserve to vote or to be involved in Mercosur at the moment. Venezuela deserve to be full members, all of the countries in South America should be together and united, just like Europe, like Asia. I love peace and I would like for all of the world to be united, I wish we could get rid of the borders.

Lucia, 45, lawyer, Montserrat

I think the inclusion of Venezuela is a good thing, at the very least it makes economic sense and there aren’t too many issues within the country apart from problems with insecurity which doesn’t affect the whole country. Economically it has to be beneficial, uniting the countries in this region in an economic bloc and bringing together the banks and the resources in the region is a good move.

Some people are saying it’s illegal but I don’t think it is. I don’t think it’s illegal at all. I think that the bringing together of these countries is inconvenient for other areas, for other markets, and that’s why people have a problem with it.

  Samanta Bermúdez, 19, student, San Telmo

Really I think that all international blocs, like in Europe and Mercosur are bad because some countries are left out. I don’t think it really helps anyone to separate countries like this, it ends up creating big issues with differences in social class, and generates bigger conflicts. I think countries end up feeling resentful and it leads to big conflicts and even wars in the long run. For me though, as an Ecuadorian, it is really good to be able to travel freely between countries without needing loads of documents, so there are some good things.

Santiago Del Campo, 32, antiques shop owner, San Telmo

It seems like a good thing to me, it’s the financial and industrial strength that’s missing from Mercosur, it’s going to be valuable to have a partner with such a strong oil resource. In the current economic crisis it will be useful to have an ally with such a good oil industry and I think it will help the region a lot.

It is a strange time for Mercosur at the moment with the situation in Paraguay. Ultimately though the people didn’t vote for the current president so it’s not democracy. The people in power at the moment don’t represent the Paraguayan people so I think it’s right that Mercosur have suspended them and it’s good that Venezuela have become a new partner.

After the illegal taking of Parque Indoamericano in Villa Soldati last week, violent protests broke out leaving three people dead. The national government declared it a state of emergency on 8th December 2010 to prevent further violent outbreaks.

Mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri has been working to “recover” the park, however it remains undecided what will happen to the hundreds of displaced families; a mixture of Argentines and immigrants, who had been illegally residing in the park and surrounding areas.

The rights of immigrants and citizens are the topic of the hour, and for many Argentines it is a very important and political issue — the Argentina Independent took to the streets to investigate.

	Hugo Fasano, 54, Banker, Province of Buenos Aires   “There is a very important political background behind the situation. I believe it is definitely the government’s responsibility to find a home for those in Parque Indoamericano, Macri’s policies probably will not affect immigration policies in Argentina.”
	Adrian Frías, 28, Waiter, Beccar, Province of Buenos Aires   “There’s a lot more going on than what the media shows us. There shouldn’t be the government’s responsibility to find them a place to live — it is the government’s responsibility to teach them and to educate them. In reality there is a lot of wasteful spending on the government’s part on programs. If Macri ever becomes president, it would be a terrible thing, but I agree with him on this — uncontrolled immigration is a bad thing, too.
	Gisela Frías, 26, Cashier, Ciudad Evita, Province of Buenos Aires   “I think it is a shame because this country shouldn’t be giving away land like it is given away, but it is also very sad for people so poor have no place to live. The thing is that with this government, everything is badly distributed, many have a lot and yet many have nothing. And I hope everything gets fixed soon, otherwise more people are going to die. It is the government’s responsibility to find them a place to stay because we all pay taxes. With immigrants, maybe they should have help from their own country like everyone else in the world. Anywhere else, immigrants may not have the same rights as the country’s own citizens.”
	Ezequiel Benitez, 24, Banker, Versailles, Province of Buenos Aires   “The evictions are a good thing — remove them all! I’m 80% for what Macri is doing right now. Vote Macri.”
	Romina Resuche, 35, Journalist/ Photo Curator, San Telmo, Buenos Aires   “It has been a few years since I consumed the media. It is a huge discrimination between people and they are starting to show their true opinions to everyone. Evidently they do not have problems with people living here from Switzerland, they have problems with people from Bolivia living here. For me it is enough to think of one of the articles of the constitution that says that anyone who wants to live in Argentina may do so, this is a big issue and there are a lot of opinions of hate and anger over this.”

 
Photos by Shooresh Fezoni

Abortion continues to be illegal in Argentina and opinion continues to be divided. Statistics documenting high rates of illegal abortions and the resulting high maternal mortality figures have garnered a fair amount of attention in recent months. In the run up to the 2011 presidential campaigns, following the historic gay marriage bill being passed, and after the Pope’s recent announcement regarding his attitude towards contraception, it is thought the legal system may be beginning to shift.

As Buenos Aires was the scene of a primary debate discussing the legalisation of abortion this week, The Argentina Independent went to the public to get to grips with general opinion regarding abortion laws and whether they are likely to change.

Photos by: Andy Donohoe