US court suspends strict abortion law in Texas

It’s a stage victory for advocates of abortion rights in the United States: A federal court in Austin, Texas, has temporarily halted the state’s extremely strict abortion law after a complaint by the US government. When the regulation came into force, women were illegally prevented from taking control of their lives, says in judgment. The success may have been short-lived for Biden camp supporters, however—the Republican government of Texas immediately announced an appeal against the court’s injunction.

The so-called Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions in Texas, has been in force since early September. It prohibits abortion once the fetal heartbeat is determined. This can happen as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. Many women do not yet know that they are pregnant at this time. What is unusual about the regulation is that it enables private individuals to take civil action against anyone who helps a woman with an abortion.

The scheme allows lawsuits against a wide range of people – from a taxi driver driving a woman to a clinic to parents who financially support their daughter with an abortion. The US Department of Justice spoke of “bounty hunters” and called the law “clearly unconstitutional”. Over the weekend alone, thousands again demonstrated for abortion rights in the United States. The law in Texas caused great harm to the people there, in response to the current decision criticizing the civil rights organization ACLU. “We will continue to fight until our right to abortion is permanently restored.”

The Court of Appeal has already ruled in favor of the abortion law

Federal Judge Robert Pittman wrote in his ruling that the court would not allow another day for “the deprivation of such an important right”. According to a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1973, abortion in the United States is allowed as long as the fetus is no longer viable – now around the 24th week of pregnancy. In full awareness that it would be unconstitutional to bar this right from citizens through direct state measures, the state has come up with an “unprecedented” regulation to do so, the judgment said.

In theory, clinics could now again perform the type of abortion the law forbade. However, they should remain in fear that they will be prosecuted if a High Court overturns the decision. This is expected – as the relevant appellate court had earlier allowed the law to come into force. So some clinics should wait for final legal clarification so as not to take any risk. The Supreme Court also dismissed an urgent application against the Heartbeat Act in early September – but did not decide on the matter.

The controversy over abortion rights has kept the courts and society in the United States busy for decades. The Supreme Court will soon deal with another case that could severely restrict abortion rights across the country. A hearing on a legal dispute from the state of Mississippi is due in early December. The case seeks to overturn a 1973 Supreme Court decision.

Under former US President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court has become much more conservative because of new appointments. That’s why many fear that AS Roe vs. Wade The famous fundamental decision of the 1970s could be overturned.