By Ahmad Deedat Zakari
The United States Supreme Court in a draft opinion voted against the nearly five decades-old precedents in the landmark abortion case of Roe V Wade on Friday. The court held that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to an abortion.
The judgement overturned the decision in Roe V Wade. The majority of the justices of the court are of the opinion that the decision in the old case of Roe V Wade was reached in error and the American constitution did not expressly contemplate such rights.
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in an initial draft majority opinion.
The opinion of the US Supreme Court has elicited condemnation from leaders around the globe.
President Joe Biden has described it as “a tragic error” and urged states to enact laws to allow the procedure.
Former President Barack Obama described the judgement as an attack on the freedom of Americans
“Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.
Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you’re looking for ways to respond, Planned Parenthood, The United State of Women, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight, ” Obama posted on his Facebook page.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on Friday joined other leaders in condemning the judgement. He described it as horrific.
“The news coming out of the United States is horrific. My heart goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion. I can’t imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now,” Trudeau tweeted.
Trudeau further explains that the decision of what a woman does with her body is solely hers, and not for the government or anyone.
“No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body. I want women in Canada to know that we will always stand up for your right to choose,” He explains.
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said the judgement is a big step backwards.
“I think it’s a big step backwards. I’ve always believed in a woman’s right to choose and I stick to that view, and that’s why the UK has the laws that it does.”
French President, Emmanuel Macron also pledged solitary with American women after the Supreme Court Overturned Roe V Wade.
“Abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected. I express my solidarity with the women whose freedoms are today challenged by the Supreme Court of the United States of America,” Macron said.
