December 20th 2024.
A group of passionate activists took to the streets in front of the Colorado State Capital, protesting against a new bill that has been introduced by a US state. This bill has caused major concerns among abortion rights activists as it allows for the possibility of executions for those who undergo abortions. It is a direct attack on women's rights and a clear violation of their bodily autonomy.
The bill, proposed by Republican lawmakers in South Carolina, is based on the doctrine of "fetal personhood." This means that fetuses, at any stage of development, would be granted the same legal rights and protections as people. Currently, South Carolina has a six-week abortion ban in place, but if this bill is passed, it would effectively impose a total ban on abortion. This means that any type of abortion, at any stage of pregnancy, would be considered equivalent to murder under state law. As a result, those who undergo the procedure could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
While the bill does include exceptions for unintentional deaths resulting from life-saving procedures for the mother or spontaneous miscarriages, these exceptions are often not properly enforced. This has been a common issue in the US, where exceptions like these are often just in name and not in practice.
This move by South Carolina is not an isolated incident. It is part of a larger trend among some Republican-led states to impose near-total bans on abortion following the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade. State representative Rob Harris has pre-filed the bill, known as the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act, earlier this month. It is set to be introduced in the judiciary committee when the legislative session begins in January.
Since the overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022, the regulation of abortion laws has been left to individual states. This has resulted in a dramatic change in the legal landscape, with around 14 states now having near-total abortion bans. In some states, abortion is only allowed in limited cases, such as when the mother's life is in danger. For example, in South Carolina, abortion is restricted after six weeks of pregnancy. On the other hand, states like California and New York have passed laws to protect abortion access.
The consequences of these restrictive laws are far-reaching. People in need of abortions and medical professionals face potential legal penalties in states where the procedure is banned. This has led to a situation where those in states with bans are forced to travel to other states where abortion is legal, putting a strain on resources in those areas.
The idea of fetal personhood, which is the basis of this bill, is a controversial one. It grants legal rights to fetuses, embryos, or fertilized eggs, considering them equal to born individuals. According to Pregnancy Justice, as of September, 17 US states have established fetal personhood through legislation or judicial decisions. In Georgia, for example, a fetus is already eligible for tax credits and child support and is included in population counts and redistricting.
Overall, this bill in South Carolina is just one example of the ongoing battle over abortion rights in the US. It is a stark reminder of the need to protect women's rights and bodily autonomy, and to ensure that safe and legal access to abortion is available to all.
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