No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeAbortionUS ending abortion right a 'huge blow' to human rights : UN

US ending abortion right a ‘huge blow’ to human rights : UN

The decision by the US Supreme Court on Friday to end the right to abortion is “a huge blow to women’s human rights and gender equality”, the United Nations said.

“Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human rights law and is at the core of women and girls’ autonomy and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives,” UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

“This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the US, in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights.”

More than 50 countries with restrictive laws have relaxed their abortion laws in the past 25 years, the former Chilean president said. 

“With today’s ruling, the US is regrettably moving away from this progressive trend.”

The ruling does not make terminations illegal but returns the United States to the situation before the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973, when each state was free to allow them or not.  

Several US states announced measures to ban abortions in their jurisdiction shortly after the court’s announcement.

UN human rights experts denounced the Supreme Court decision and urged US President Joe Biden to take all necessary measures to mitigate its consequences.

Describing the ruling as shocking and dangerous, the experts branded it “a monumental setback for the rule of law and for gender equality”, in a joint statement.

They said the move would increase the number of women and girls seeking clandestine and unsafe abortions, and would fuel abortion stigma, creating “a nightmare scenario for those dealing with the uncertainty and trauma of an unplanned pregnancy”.

The statement was backed by eight special rapporteurs and the UN working group on discrimination against women and girls.

UN experts do not speak for the global body but report their findings to it. 

Popular Articles

Easter in Costa Rica: A Celebration of Faith and Tradition

Easter (Semana Santa), or Holy Week, is a cornerstone of Costa Rican culture, where centuries-old Catholic traditions blend with lively community spirit, captivating expats,...

Why Flying Is Your Best Bet for an Easter Vacation in Costa Rica

Easter otherwise known as Holy Week is a prime (but crowded) time to vacation in Costa Rica, with sunny April days perfect for beaches,...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Crisis: Why Tourists Are Vanishing

Maria Vargas, a third-generation tour operator in Nosara, stares at an empty booking calendar. “This is the worst high season I’ve seen in 20...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait

Latest Articles