MONTEVIDEO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay's Senate voted to allow abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, despite the threat of Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez to veto the measure.

    The bill passed the Senate with 17 of the 30 senators present.

    The original version of the law of Sexual and Reproductive Health was approved a year ago by the Senate, but it had to be analyzed again because of some slight modifications to the original text. The bill was also approved by the lower House of Deputies last week.

    If the bill is issued, women may opt for abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. At present abortion is banned in Uruguay and Catholic Church is against abortion in the country.

    One of the promoters of the law, Senator Monica Xavier from the ruling party said that it is "law for the life" that defends the human rights.

    Senator Alberto Couriel, also from the ruling party, urged Vazquez "not to veto this law" so the controversial issue which has divided Uruguayan society and even the ruling party could be solved through public consultation.

    Vazquez has said on many occasions that he will veto the law for "philosophical" reasons.

    The abortion supporters do not have the required majority in the General Assembly of the Parliament to lift a ban decreed by the president.

    According to a poll published this week by local press, 57 percent of Uruguayans support the decriminalization of abortion, and 63 percent oppose the president's veto.