Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned on Saturday that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a constitutional right to abortion could lead to the loss of other rights, and indicated his country would continue to allow Americans to have abortions in Canada. to be performed.
Trudeau called the court’s decision “horrifying” and expressed concern that the ruling could one day lead to a rollback of legal protections for same-sex relationships, including the right for same-sex couples to marry.
“We know this is an extraordinary, not only terrifying, but also discouraging time for so many women,” Trudeau said at a news conference in Kigali, Rwanda, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
“Women have been fighting for more rights in the United States for generations, (only) to see this setback, and also worry about how this could be expanded to take away more rights in the United States,” she said. he.
“This reminds us how to be unequivocal in our defense of people’s rights, by taking nothing for granted, remaining vigilant and always standing up for women’s rights, for LBGT rights, for human rights who have rights without rights. and marginalized,” he added.
When asked if his administration would help American women seeking abortions in Canada, Trudeau didn’t answer directly, but said: “Everyday Americans who are in Canada have access to our health care system in Canada and that is definitely something that will continue to exist.” . needing to travel and have a passport makes it unaffordable for some Americans.
The ruling is likely to lead to abortion bans in about half of the US states.
Thirteen states, mostly in the South and Midwest, already had laws banning abortion in the event Roe was overturned. Another half a dozen states have almost total bans or bans after six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant.
Trudeau vowed to continue to champion women’s rights in the US and elsewhere.
“We are committed in Canada to first and foremost ensuring that every woman has full, safe legal access to the full range of sexual health and reproductive services, including safe and legal abortions, and we have worked hard to increase access to women across the country,” Trudeau said. (AP)
