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The Supreme Court of the United States has just rendered its verdict: it annuls its decision Roe against Wade, which ensured and protected since 1973 the right of American women to abort by voluntary termination of pregnancy.
This is a decision that has been under discussion for several weeks, as we explained to you in May. The position of the Supreme Court of the United States was awaited on the subject. The tenor of his decision has now been known since Friday, June 24: it revokes the Roe v. Wade judgment, almost 50 years old, which assured American women the possibility of having an abortion when they wished.
Each State will be free to authorize or not the IVG
This ruling does not make abortion illegal, but it allows each state in the United States to be free to authorize or prohibit abortion, and even allows them not to authorize exceptions, as in case of rape or incest, for example. Existing since 1973, the constitutional right to abortion ceases to exist in the largest democracy in the world.
Already thirteen states in favor of the ban
After the announcement of this historic decision, thirteen States have already positioned themselves in favor of the prohibition of abortion on their territory. According to certain American health organizations, more than 36 million women will see their right to abortion removed. Not to mention the various legal battles that should be engaged, in particular concerning the possibility for these women to go to a neighboring State to have an abortion for example.
In contrast, the Democratic governors of several states, including California, New Mexico and Michigan, have already announced their intention to enshrine the right to abortion in their constitutions. President Joe Biden called it a “tragic mistake” and urged states to enact laws to authorize the procedure.
Towards the revocation of other rights?
In recent years, states had already adopted very restrictive laws regarding abortion: for example, Louisiana had until then provided up to 10 years in prison for health professionals performing an abortion. In the coming weeks, many clinics performing abortions could also be permanently closed.
For conservative judge Samuel Alito, “the Constitution makes no reference to abortion and none of its articles implicitly protects this right, Roe v Wade “was totally unfounded from the start” and “must be struck down“. For him, “it is time to return the issue of abortion to the elected representatives of the people”. From now on, it is other recently acquired rights, such as those concerning LGBT + people or the legalization of same-sex marriage, which could be revoked.