United States: abortion rights under threat

On Friday 24 June, the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 “Roe vs. Wade” ruling that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion, sending shockwaves around the world.
President Joe Biden immediately deplored “a tragic mistake” that “literally sets America back 150 years”. The UN, for its part, spoke of a “huge blow to women’s rights and gender equality”. The feminist movements immediately reacted with numerous street mobilisations.
The country’s highest court has been controlled by the religious right since former president Donald Trump appointed several ultra-conservative judges. From now on, each state is free to authorise or not abortion on its territory. In just a few days, abortion has become illegal in nine states (Utah, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Alabama), thus accentuating the already deep divisions in American society.

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