Shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision against the liberal abortion law in the USA, protests broke out in front of the courthouse in Washington. Opponents and supporters had previously gathered in front of the courthouse.
Thousands of people later gathered in New York to also demonstrate against the decision. The mood was already heated after a draft of the decision was made public about two months ago. Many people also took to the streets in Austin, Denver and Philadelphia.
With its decision, the mostly conservative court has now paved the way for stricter abortion laws – even including complete bans in some US states.
Misunderstanding across the board
Not only thousands of US citizens react with incomprehension for the highest instance decision. The UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet fears negative effects for millions of women.
This is a massive blow to women’s human rights and equality.
Bachelet emphasized that the right to access safe and legal abortion is firmly anchored internationally, pointing to more than 50 countries in which the regulations have been liberalized in the last 25 years. Such laws guaranteed self-determination over body and life, she said. “This decision takes away this autonomy from millions of women in the United States.” Minorities and poorer women are particularly affected by the decision.
The United Nations pointed out the health risks for women. “Data shows that restricting access to abortion doesn’t stop people from having an abortion — it just makes it more deadly,” the United Nations Population Fund said.