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Anti-Legislature Demo in Austin, Texas
Photo: Jay Janner / AP
The extensive abortion ban in Texas remains in force for the time being.
The US Supreme Court in Washington scheduled a hearing on November 1st on the controversial so-called "Heartbeat" law on Friday.
The administration of US President Joe Biden had applied to the Supreme Court to immediately repeal the Texas law, which prohibits abortions from around the sixth week of pregnancy.
The strictest abortion law in the United States came into effect in early September in conservative Texas.
Since then there have been bitter legal battles.
The Biden government considers the law to be unconstitutional because the 1973 Supreme Court made a landmark ruling on women's rights to abortion.
Texas law prohibits termination of pregnancy from the point at which the fetus's heartbeat can be determined, i.e. from around the sixth week of pregnancy.
At this point in time, however, many women do not even know that they are pregnant.
Even in the event of rape or incest, Texan law does not provide for any exceptions.
There is also outrage that it is not the Texan authorities that are supposed to enforce the new regulations, but private individuals. Citizens are encouraged to sue people they suspect of helping women with an abortion after the sixth week. In addition to abortion clinics and their employees, this could also affect relatives or a taxi driver who has brought a pregnant woman to the clinic. Whistleblowers will receive $ 10,000 if convicted.
Abortion law is one of the most competitive social issues in the United States.
In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled “Roe v.
Wade «enshrines the fundamental right of women to have an abortion.
As a guideline, abortions are generally allowed until the fetus is viable outside the womb.
This is the case after about 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
as / AFP