Idaho’s top court allows abortion ban to take effect

Idaho’s top court allows abortion ban to take effect

The state Supreme Court rejected Planned Parenthood's bid to stop the ban.

Justice Robyn Brody rejected the petition, as abortion had been illegal in Idaho since before Roe v Wade. (AP pic)
BOISE:
Idaho’s top court on Friday refused to stop a Republican-backed state law criminalising nearly all abortions from taking effect, after the US Supreme Court overturned the 1973 decision Roe v Wade that had recognised a constitutional right to the procedure.

A divided Idaho Supreme Court rejected a bid by Planned Parenthood to prevent a ban from taking effect on Aug 25 that the abortion provider argued would violate Idahoans’ privacy and equal protection rights under the state’s constitution.

Justice Robyn Brody, writing for the court in the 3-2 decision, said given the US Supreme Court’s June decision, Planned Parenthood could not show it was entitled to such “drastic” relief, particularly since abortion was illegal in Idaho before the Roe ruling.

“Moreover, what Petitioners are asking this Court to ultimately do is to declare a right to abortion under the Idaho Constitution when – on its face – there is none,” Brody added.

The justices also lifted a stay on a separate Idaho law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy enforced through private lawsuits by citizens, which the state Supreme Court put on hold in April while Roe was still in effect.

Planned Parenthood and Idaho officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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