North Dakota Bans Almost All Abortions: Latest State to Restrict Women’s Rights

Florida had already severely restricted access to abortion. North Dakota just took it a step further by restricting women’s rights a little more. The northern state of the United States signed a law on Monday that bans almost all abortions on its territory.

According to a statement from Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, “this law clarifies and refines existing state law,” triggered by the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the law. constitutional guarantee to abortion. In fact, performing any abortion is now prohibited in North Dakota “from conception”, with some exceptions, in particular if the pregnancy poses serious health risks to the mother.

Fifteen states have banned the right to abortion

An exception is also provided for up to six weeks of pregnancy if it results from a case of rape or incest. Offending physicians face up to five years in prison. North Dakota, with a strong conservative majority, has nearly 800,000 inhabitants. Since June 2022 and the decision of the American Supreme Court, around fifteen states have banned abortion on their soil.

On April 13, the Florida legislature banned it beyond six weeks of pregnancy, a law described as “extreme and dangerous” by the White House. The Supreme Court on Friday ruled to maintain access for now to an abortion pill used for more than half of abortions in the country, suspending restrictions decided by lower courts and offering temporary respite to rights advocates. abortion.