Abortion rights debate expected in the US presidential election
France was the first country in the world to specify ‘freedom to have an abortion’ in its constitution. There is a high possibility that the debate will spread around the world, including the United States, where abortion rights have emerged as one of the major issues ahead of this November’s presidential election.
The French Senate and House of Representatives held a joint meeting on the 4th (local time) and passed a constitutional amendment specifying women’s freedom to have an abortion with 780 votes in favor and 72 against. The votes in favor were overwhelmingly more than 10 times greater than the votes against. The guarantee of abortion rights in France, a Catholic country, is expected to be a new spark not only for neighboring countries such as the UK and Germany, but also for the United States, where the Supreme Court abolished the right to abortion in 2022. Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Calamar said in a statement that day, “Entering the freedom to have an abortion in the Constitution is the pinnacle of women’s rights,” and added, “It will pave the way for stronger protection of abortion access in other countries.” .
In the 1973 Roe vs Wade decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the right to abortion under Article 14 of the Constitution, which stipulates individual freedom. However, after the conservative Supreme Court justices gained the upper hand and abolished it in 2022, controversy over the pros and cons is fierce. In Europe, many countries are fully or conditionally allowing abortion based on women’s right to health and self-determination. Korea is in a ‘legislative vacuum’ as no follow-up legislation has been enacted since the Constitutional Court’s decision in 2019 that the abortion law was unconstitutional.
Buddhist far-right Le Pen also agrees… overwhelmingly passed
“The movement to expand abortion rights and expand abortion rights is vibrant.”
伊 etc. are limited to ‘inevitable cases’… Abortion rights issue likely to become more acute in the US presidential election
France was the first country in the world to guarantee ‘freedom to have an abortion’ in its constitution. “My body is my choice” means that women’s body autonomy is permanently guaranteed. As a result of the vote in the French Senate and House of Representatives to amend the Constitution on the 4th (local time), the votes in favor were overwhelmingly more than 10 times the votes against. Marine Le Pen, a female but far-right member of the National Coalition (RN), also voted in favor.
There are signs that the debate on the pros and cons of abortion rights around the world will flare up again. The Vatican publicly issued a statement opposing the French parliament’s vote, saying, “There is no right to take life.” The majority of Europe also legalizes abortion, but there are quite a few countries that impose restrictions. In the United States ahead of the November presidential election, conservative and progressive camps are fighting over the rollback of abortion rights, which has emerged as a major issue.
The seal stamped on the amendment proves that the amendment was officially passed by the National Assembly. Paris = AP NewsisIn Article 34 of the constitutional amendment passed by the French Senate and House of Representatives on this day, a new clause was added: ‘The conditions under which women’s freedom to voluntarily terminate pregnancy are guaranteed by law are established.’ In fact, abortion has been legal in France since 1975, and is currently available at the woman’s choice up to the 14th week of pregnancy. Although this constitutional amendment will not bring any immediate visible changes, the symbolism of codifying the right to abortion in the constitution is very significant.
Prime Minister Gabrielle Attal urged lawmakers to vote in favor, saying, “We are sending a message to all women: ‘Your body belongs to you and no one has the right to control it for you.'” .
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media X (formerly Twitter) immediately after the vote, “French pride, a message to the world.” Yael Bronfive, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who presided over the first joint session of both houses of parliament in France, also commented to “We welcome France’s decision to protect women’s rights and save their lives,” World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told X.
France’s constitutional stipulation of abortion rights is not unrelated to the decline in abortion rights in the United States. In June 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling that permitted abortion, constitutional amendments have been promoted, fearing that this atmosphere would spread to Europe.
It appears that the debate on the pros and cons of abortion rights will reignite around the world. In fact, prior to the constitutional amendment vote on this day, protests for and against the amendment were held in downtown Paris and near the Palace of Versailles, respectively.
According to AFP, the Vatican also said in a statement just before the vote on constitutional amendments, “We recall that in an era of universal human rights, there can be no right to take human life,” and “All governments and all religious traditions must make the protection of life an absolute priority.” “I appeal to you to do your best to make it happen,” he said. In a statement, the French Bishops’ Conference called for fasting and prayers to ban abortion, saying, “As Catholics, we must serve life from conception to death and support those who choose to keep their children even in difficult circumstances.”
European countries allow abortion more broadly than other regions, but in countries with many Catholics, many places limit it to ‘unavoidable cases’.
The UK is considered the most permissive country on abortion. With the approval of two doctors, abortion is possible up to the 24th week of pregnancy, and even later if the pregnant woman’s life is at risk. However, guaranteeing abortion rights is still a political issue because women who choose abortion risk being prosecuted. France 24 reported, “In the UK, six women have been indicted on charges of violating abortion laws over the past 18 months.” It is reported that the Labor Party will submit a bill to amend related laws to stop prosecution.
In Italy, a Catholic country, abortion has been allowed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy since 1978 when the health or life of the pregnant woman is at risk. However, in reality, some medical professionals are not cooperative, so women are moving to other areas to have ‘abroad abortions’.
In June 2022, the conservative-dominant U.S. Supreme Court abolished the Roe v. Wade ruling, which allowed abortion until about 24 weeks of pregnancy. President Joe Biden, ahead of the presidential election this November, is in favor of abortion rights and is making this an issue. Former President Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate, supports the ruling abolishing abortion rights, but is showing a willingness to compromise by targeting female voters.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.