USA: “Heartbeat” law against abortion signed – big protests

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USA
Anti-abortion ‘heartbeat’ law signed in Oklahoma amid protests in many cities

Texas already has one of the toughest abortion laws in the United States. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Houston on Tuesday.

© Carlos Escalona / Picture Alliance

04.05.2022, 13:10

1 min reading time

After the US Supreme Court announced a tightening of the abortion law, people across the country took to the streets on Tuesday in protest. Meanwhile, the governor of Oklahoma quickly signed a new, strict law that will make abortions much more difficult in the future.

Amid the heated debate over abortion rights in the US, the governor of Oklahoma has signed legislation drastically tightening the state’s regulations. Governor Kevin Stitt wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that the four million people in his state are overwhelmingly in favor of protecting unborn life.

Oklahoma’s “heartbeat law” is similar to a highly controversial Texas law. It bans abortions once a doctor can determine the heartbeat of an embryo or fetus. This can be after around six weeks if some women do not yet know that they are pregnant. The law also allows civil lawsuits against those who perform or knowingly assist women in having an abortion.

A pregnant woman at the doctor

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US Supreme Court wants nationwide tightening of abortion laws

On Monday evening, the magazine “Politico” published the draft of a ruling by the US Supreme Court, according to which the country’s liberal abortion law is to be overturned. The document sparked outrage in the administration of Democratic US President Joe Biden and in liberal sections of the population.

Conservative politicians have long attempted to dismiss the Roe v. Wade confessed to overturning the 1973 landmark ruling. Several Republican-governed states have tightened abortion laws in hopes they will stand up in the Supreme Court.

sanctions against Russia

The oil embargo is coming. Which EU members are in favor and which are against


Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) spoke to journalists in Brussels about further planned sanctions against Russia. He assumes that the sixth package of sanctions will also include the exit from Russian oil. Germany had previously opposed an oil embargo. Business associations fear that an oil embargo would cause oil prices to rise further. According to the energy expert at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Claudia Kemfert, an oil embargo is feasible, but Germany must increasingly rely on other suppliers such as Norway. The Economics Minister now also sees it that way. The share of Russian oil in German oil consumption has fallen from 35 to 12 percent within a few weeks since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, according to the German government's progress report on energy security. Habeck signaled last week that he no longer had a problem with the embargo.

Germany

Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) spoke to journalists in Brussels about further planned sanctions against Russia. He assumes that the sixth package of sanctions will also include the exit from Russian oil. Germany had previously opposed an oil embargo. Business associations fear that an oil embargo would cause oil prices to rise further. According to the energy expert at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Claudia Kemfert, an oil embargo is feasible, but Germany must increasingly rely on other suppliers such as Norway. The Economics Minister now also sees it that way. The share of Russian oil in German oil consumption has fallen from 35 to 12 percent within a few weeks since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, according to the German government’s progress report on energy security. Habeck signaled last week that he no longer had a problem with the embargo.

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Gov. Stitt signed legislation last month that would make performing an abortion in Oklahoma punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Exceptions should only apply if the life of the expectant mother is in acute danger due to the pregnancy. The proposed penalties do not threaten the pregnant women, but the medical staff who perform abortions. According to US media reports, critics are taking legal action against both laws in Oklahoma.

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