The abortion law divides US society as much as the gun law. And arch-conservative politicians – flanked by Christian religious communities – are always looking for the fundamental decision. Although the Supreme Court recognized the fundamental right of women to have an abortion in a historic decision as early as 1973, new laws have been passed in individual states to restrict this right.
In Arkansas, Governor Asa Hutchinson has now signed a restrictive abortion law that prohibits abortion even in cases of rape and incest. The arch-conservative Republican announced that an abortion should only be carried out if the mother’s life is in acute danger. Hutchinson said he acted because of his “sincere and long-held pro-life beliefs.”
Now it goes to the courts
At the same time, the head of government admitted that his law “contradicts binding precedents of the US Supreme Court”, but that the current case law should be reviewed again by the Supreme Court. And Republican Senator Jason Rapert added: “We must abolish abortion in this nation like we abolished slavery in the 19th century – all lives matter.”
The law won’t go into effect in Arkansas until the summer. The civil rights organization ACLU has already announced that it will take legal action against it.
Arkansas is one of at least 14 states where legislatures are debating a total abortion ban. A federal court stopped a corresponding attempt in Alabama in autumn 2019. In Texas a year ago, Republican Governor Greg Abbott temporarily banned all abortions so that doctors save the scarce face masks and gloves for the treatment of corona patients and medical emergencies.
rb/AR (AFP, AP, Reuters)