Story highlights Girl was raped by her stepfather, whom authorities are seeking, prosecutors say

Paraguayan law bans abortions except in cases where mother's life is in jeopardy

Health minister says girl's life isn't at risk, and that government will oversee her prenatal care

(CNN) An international rights group is pressing the Paraguayan government to allow an abortion for a 10-year-old girl who allegedly was impregnated by her stepfather -- a procedure that health officials in the South American country have so far blocked.

At issue is Paraguayan law, which bans abortions except in cases where the pregnancy endangers the mother's life. The Paraguayan Ministry of Health says there's no indication that the health of the girl -- now 22 weeks' pregnant -- is at risk.

But the girl's family is asking for an abortion, and Amnesty International is backing them, saying her age should trigger the health exception. The group also asserts the law is too restrictive, noting that it doesn't provide additional exceptions for rape.

"The physical and psychological impact of forcing this young girl to continue with an unwanted pregnancy is tantamount to torture," Amnesty International official Guadalupe Marengo said this week. "The Paraguayan authorities cannot sit idly by while this young rape survivor is forced to endure more agony and torment."

Doctors learned the girl was pregnant after she entered a hospital in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, on April 21 for abdominal pain. That spurred a criminal investigation.

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