NDP Leader Rachel Notley is calling on every candidate in the UCP leadership race to commit to protecting abortion rights in light of the United States Supreme Court striking down Roe vs Wade.
“Only a short drive from where I am standing today, our neighbours are being stripped of the right to make decisions about their own bodies,” Notley said in a statement on Friday.
“This is a day many of us hoped we would never see, the destruction of basic human rights for hundreds of millions of people in what was once one of the world’s great democracies.”
Related:
Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion
Notley the court’s ruling is “abhorrent” and destroys generations of hard-won progress towards equality for women, girls, and all people who can become pregnant.
And she wants every UCP leadership candidate to definitely state they will never do anything to undermine the fundamental right to reproductive health care for women, girls and people who can become pregnant.
“We know that many members of the UCP caucus and cabinet are explicitly supported by anti-choice extremists. Anti-abortion politicians cannot be allowed to duck this issue. It is both inadequate and dangerous for leaders to say ‘I am anti-abortion but I won’t impose my view because the matter is settled here.’ As we have learned today, the matter is not settled. It was not settled in the US and frankly human rights must always be protected.
“Because in the absence of that vigilant protection, human rights will be attacked, as they were today.”
Related:
NDP call on the UCP to condemn the attack on abortion rights in the U.S.
Between 2015 and 2019, the Notley government provided full public coverage for the abortion pill Mifegymiso and created bubble zones to prevent harassment of Albertans outside abortion clinics.
The NDP says there was also work to expand access to clinical abortions outside of the two major cities, work which the UCP halted.
“We must defend abortion rights today and every day. We must all stand with women, girls and everyone who can become pregnant and continue to fight for reproductive freedom around the world,” said Janis Irwin, NDP critic for women’s and 2S+LGBTQ issues.
Notley said she is proud of the progress the NDP made in government, but there is more to do.
“I give Albertans my categorical guarantee that an NDP government will protect and advance reproductive rights here in Alberta and across the country. On this, there can be no compromise,” Notley said.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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