The much-feared and long-awaited decision has arrived. The American Supreme Court, redesigned by Donald Trump with the appointment of several ultra-conservative exponents, has substantially abolished the right to abortion in the United States .
The Court abolished the historic Roe v. Wade with whom in 1973 the same supreme judges had legalized abortion.
The Court was divided, 6 judges voted in favor of the sentence, 3 against: " The American Constitution does not confer the right to abortion ," the pronouncement reads.
The decision was made in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, in which the judges upheld Mississippi law prohibiting termination of pregnancy after 15 weeks. The only remaining clinic in the state to offer an abortion had been appealed.
" Abortion presents a profound moral issue. The constitution does not prohibit citizens of any state from regulating or prohibiting abortion ," the judges write.
"Sadly" many women "have lost fundamental constitutional protection today, we disagree" , say the three liberal judges who voted against the majority decision. They are Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer.
THE CONSEQUENCES
This does not mean that abortion is illegal in the US from today, but that individual states will be free to apply their laws on the matter, even to outright prohibit the termination of pregnancy.
Out of 50 states, 26 (including Texas and Oklahoma) have more restrictive laws on the matter. Nine have abortion limits that precede the 'Roe v. Wade ', and which have not yet been enforced but may now become effective, while 13 have so-called dormant bans that should go into effect immediately .
On the other hand, the Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton has already said bluntly: " Abortion is illegal with immediate effect , the structures that offer abortions can be considered as criminally responsible starting today". And Missouri also makes it known that " abortion is prohibited ".
The ban on abortion should therefore come into force in 13 republican-led states in the next 30 days, all states that have passed very stringent laws linking them to the awaited decision of the Supreme Court. The only exception to the ban on abortion is the case in which the mother's life is in danger.
THE PROTEST
Immediately after the sentence outside the Supreme Court, the protest broke out , the demonstrators increased with the passing of the minutes and there is also a group of anti-abortionists who hugged and cheered at the news.
"We will protest every day, we will close this country," say the protesters.
COMMENTS
The leader of the Republicans in the House, Kevin McCarthy , swamps the decision of the Supreme Court: "I applaud this historic sentence that saves lives," he tweets.
The Supreme Court decision is "bold" and "correct. It is a historic victory for the constitution and society," exults Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell .
Mike Pence also rejoices: "Life has won", is his lapidary tweet.
While Donald Trump speaks of a decision that "respects the Constitution and wants to restore rights", of "God's will".
"The Supreme Court has attacked the fundamental freedoms of millions of Americans", is the comment of Barack Obama .
And the speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks of a "cruel" and "scandalous" decision.
Of "infamy", "step backwards for women's rights and human rights" speaks Hillary Clinton .
(Unioneonline / L)