Opposing Abortion: Bipartisan Game To Cost America’s More
By Hussaini Garba Muhammad
EMERGENCY DIGEST- The concise history of the US aborting debate started in early 70’s. Historically now for the almost 50 years since Roe v Wade, the debate over abortion has pervaded politics in the US.
Recently, a draft opinion written by the Supreme Court of the United States Justice Samuel Alito was leaked, which was also published through different online and print media around the world, the Supreme Court of the United States Justice Samuel Alito, he clearly stated, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” This opinion has caused massive controversy in the United States and the world.
Some court –watchers and reporters around the world predicted that the conservative majority would slice away at abortion rights without flatly overturning a 50 year old precedent. As quoted from Josh Gerstein, a reporter in Politico- reported on May, 2022, who received a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the court’s proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document. And more information on:
The “Roe V. Wade” case decided in 1973 that 21-year-old Texas woman Norma McCorvey had an unwanted pregnancy but found that state law allows abortion only if the mother’s life is in danger, So she sued the Northern Texas District Court under the pseudonym Jane Roe. The case was appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Eventually, SCOTUS ruled that women had the right to decide whether to have an abortion, and abortion has since been legal in most states. If the Supreme Court upholds Samuel Alito’s opinion and makes a ruling, many states will immediately ban or significantly weaken the right to abortion, and American women’s bodily autonomy will face a great threat.
“The fact is that if the U.S. Supreme Court affirms its draft decision, women will die,” said The Lancet, a leading medical journal. “The judge who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade will not succeed in ending abortion, and they will only succeed in ending safe abortion.” And it’s not just Americans that are about to affect; and there are more shady actions hidden behind this incident.
In most European countries, it is legal to apply for an abortion when the pregnancy is less than 12 to 14 weeks; in France, Sweden, and the Netherlands, it is even longer. Abortion is strictly restricted in Poland, but is permitted in cases of pregnancy due to rape or incest, as well as for reasons of physical health of the pregnant woman. In 2021, the European Parliament passed a symbolic resolution:
“The denial of abortion care is a form of gender-based violence.” In sharp contrast, the “Pro-life” anti-abortion camp in the United States has gained momentum since Trump took office. Since 2019, 15 states in the United States have proposed the “Heartbeat Act,” which stipulates that as long as a woman is more than six weeks pregnant and the fetus has a “heartbeat” medically determined, the mother is prohibited from abortion. If a woman is found to have intentionally aborted the fetus, she can be charged with second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
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Medically speaking, the embryo’s heartbeat occurs about six weeks into the pregnancy. Still, within the time limit set by the law, women are likely to miss a legal abortion because they cannot confirm whether they are pregnant or not. Before, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Dakota had passed the draconian anti-abortion laws.
The leak has left American hopefuls worldwide in shock and despair and even worried about whether their legislatures will follow suit. Under the influence of huge public opinion, Canadian Chief Justice Richard Wagner pointed out at a press conference that no matter which political party a judge is appointed by, Canadians should have complete confidence in the impartiality and integrity of the court. The court’s appointment process is independent and transparent, adding that Canada does not have the same “polarization” problem as the United States regarding appointing judges. Karina Gould, Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, even said Americans could travel to Canada to exercise their abortion rights.
Canadians know the logic behind the leak very well, which is partisan gaming. As of April 7, 2022, of the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, six are appointed by Republican presidents, and Democratic presidents appoint three. As of December 31, 2021, of the 179 appeals court judges, 94 were appointed by Republican presidents, and Democratic presidents appointed 81.
Republicans have an overwhelming majority in the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republican-controlled state of Iowa launched further action on Friday, shortly after the leak. The Iowa Supreme Court announced: Abortion is not protected by the state constitution, which means that if “Roe V. Wade” is overturned, Iowa can immediately ban abortion. And restricting abortion is a major policy goal of Iowa Republicans. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has appointed four justices since 2017, so six of the seven on the court were appointed by Republican governors. Next, the rights of minorities such as LGBTQ+ and people of color will be gradually disenfranchised in Republican-controlled states. One piece of evidence is that Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation in March to bar transgender women from participating in women’s sports offered by Iowa schools, colleges, and universities.
The final decision on the draft opinion is expected in late June, and if “Roe V. Wade” is overturned, the Supreme Court’s Republican majority could make landmark LGBTQ+ rights decisions, such as overturning Obergefell v. Hodges (2015 ) in the decision of marriage equality or Lawrence v. Texas in the decision of sexual autonomy (2003).
In one of the report dated June 1, 2022, reported by Joan Biskupic, a CNN legal analyst and an American journalist, author, and lawyer who has covered the United States Supreme Court since 1989 stated in her report that : Exclusive: Supreme Court leak investigation heats up as clerks are asked for phone records in unprecedented move.
It is not difficult to see that the so-called democratic system of separation of powers in the United States and its constitution, which advocates equality for all, including people’s freedom and life, are just pawns in the game between the two parties.
Hussaini Garba Mohammed, A writer, Human Right advocator, Data analyst, African, Europe–Asian Commentator, International Peace Advocate, International Election Observer and a widely Traveled Youth Empowerment Professional
