United States “This is about women’s right to liberty” – U.S. Supreme Court opens historic abortion lawsuit

Washington

When life begins? Do fetal rights take precedence over women’s rights? How to maintain the credibility of the Supreme Court?

The U.S. Supreme Court debated big issues on Wednesday as the court began a major lawsuit over abortion law.

Opposite are the state of Mississippi and the state’s only abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health, but that’s a bigger issue than one state. At stake is the right of U.S. women to abortion.

Mississippi the state wants to ban abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, which is contrary to Supreme Court precedents and thus current federal law.

At present, abortion is allowed by preliminary rulings of the Supreme Court as long as the fetus is viable outside the womb.

If the Supreme Court decides to pass Mississippi legislation, it is believed to pave the way for a significant restriction or even denial of the right to abortion in parts of the United States. It would transfer decision-making power over abortion law even more strongly to the states.

The highest the court’s decision is not expected until next June. On Wednesday, the court began hearing the case after hearing the parties.

The discussion ranged from 18th-century jurisprudence to modern medicine, but focused on the Constitution and Supreme Court precedents for abortion. Roe v Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey.

The state of Mississippi is of the view that there has never been a basis in the U.S. Constitution for allowing abortion, so precedents must be lifted.

“They have no place in our history and traditions,” a lawyer representing the state of Mississippi Scott Stewart justified.

Opponent argues, on the other hand, that the constitutional right to liberty also covers a woman’s right to decide to terminate her pregnancy in the same way as it allows a woman to choose her spouse.

The right to an abortion was a lawyer Julie Riekelman according to jurisprudence as early as the 18th century, when the U.S. Constitution was written, that is, it is specifically part of the American tradition.

Also the president Joe Biden a representative of the administration was present to support the right to abortion.

“One in four American women has had an abortion,” a Justice Department attorney said Elizabeth Prelogar reminded.

“It’s about women’s right to liberty.”

Riekelman also referred to studies showing that the right to abortion has played a key role in women’s equal participation in society, education and working life. According to him, the viability of the fetus is a logical compromise between the rights of the fetus and the woman carrying it in her womb.

Overpowered The majority of abortions are performed in the United States, as in Finland, during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, according to Riekelman, the higher upper limit is in line with the legislation of the comparison countries and the barriers to abortion in the United States.

In many U.S. states, obtaining an abortion is already difficult in practice because clinics are heavily regulated.

Currently, the strictest abortion law is in effect in Texas, where abortions are virtually prohibited after fetal heart sounds can be heard, usually around the sixth week of pregnancy.

The Supreme Court plans to take a position on Texas law later.

Liberal judge Stephen Breyer warned that the annulment of precedents without proper grounds could threaten the credibility of the Supreme Court as it would make the court appear political.

“It would kill this American institution.”

According to opinion polls, the majority of Americans support the right to abortion as it currently does. Opponents, however, are a major political force because for them, abortion is often the most important factor influencing voting behavior.