Right to abortion overturned by US Supreme Court after nearly 50 years

The power to decide on abortion rights will now be handed to the 50 states to determine individually

The US Supreme Court has voted to overturn the right to choose abortion which has existed for almost 50 years. The power to decide on abortion rights will now be handed to the 50 states to determine individually, which means many may severely restrict or ban the practice. At least 25 states are poised to introduce new laws, or reactivate dormant ones, making it illegal to access abortion in many cases, including, in some instances, where conception has resulted from rape or incest. Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi are three of 13 states which have so called "trigger bans" in place, meaning abortion will be banned immediately as of today or in the coming days and weeks, Sky News reported. It is one of the most consequential rulings by the Supreme Court in recent history. The decision overturns a 1973 ruling known as "Roe versus Wade" which legalised abortion nationwide up to the point of foetal viability, generally accepted to be around 24 weeks into pregnancy. A leak in May, to Politico, warned the court was poised to overturn the decision. Internationally, the decision will make the US one of only four countries since 1994 to restrict abortion, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, the other countries being Poland, Nicaragua and El Salvador. Related links:

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