Health

Oklahoma governor signs US’ strictest abortion ban into law

Washington, May 25 (EFE).- Oklahoma’s governor on Wednesday signed into law the United States’ strictest abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure in the state from the moment of conception.

The law, which also allows criminal proceedings to be brought against anyone who assists a person to get an abortion, came into force with Kevin Stitt’s signing of the bill.

“I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today,” the Republican said in a statement.

“From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby’s life and the life of the mother.”

The NGO American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) tweeted, saying: “What’s happening in Oklahoma, Texas, and across the nation is a cruel attack against our individual liberties and bodily autonomy.”

Women’s rights advocates have warned that prohibiting abortion will endanger the lives and health of women.

The law, approved by both houses of the state government, prohibits any abortion from conception, except when the life of the mother is in danger, or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

Oklahoma already had a law in place that, like Texas, prohibited abortions from the first six weeks of pregnancy.

In addition, more legislation signed by the governor in April and which should take effect this summer, prohibits any interruption of pregnancy except to save the life of the mother.

The ban on abortion in Oklahoma was approved in the expectation that the Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, will in June overturn the landmark Roe vs. Wade ruling, which since 1973 protects the constitutional right to abortion throughout the country.

Civil society organizations estimate that at least 26 of the country’s 50 states, governed by conservatives, will ban abortion once the Supreme Court issues its ruling. EFE

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