Letter: North Dakota’s near-total abortion ban must be vetoed

Anti-abortion politicians in North Dakota try to manage our our bodies and our lives, take away our freedom, and power their will on the remainder of us. These extremist politicians, led by Senator Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, are intent on banning abortion with little regard for our values or what’s finest for our communities.

The North Dakota Legislature lately handed SB 2150; a strident close to complete abortion ban with very slim exceptions when the lady’s life is in danger. It additionally accommodates a restricted exception for victims of rape and incest that will solely apply within the earliest levels of being pregnant—earlier than many even know they’re pregnant.

Selections surrounding being pregnant ensuing from rape are very private choices during which victims deserve a full vary of choices with out judgment or coercion from others. For an individual who has simply undergone a serious violation of their bodily autonomy within the type of sexual violence, being unable to entry healthcare is a violation of human rights that compounds the preliminary trauma.

To be clear, abortion care shouldn’t be out there solely when these slim classes apply. The concept of ‘exceptions’ to abortion bans proves that one-size-fits-all legal guidelines don’t work. To ensure that our legal guidelines to deal with all of the attainable circumstances that somebody who’s pregnant may face, we have to finish abortion bans and make entry to medical care the rule, not the exception. It’s unimaginable to anticipate all the non-public and medical circumstances that unfold through the course of a being pregnant. Each being pregnant is completely different. We have to acknowledge the complexities of medical choices and respect sufferers’ and households’ choices.

All of us need to have the ability to dwell a secure and wholesome life and to be free to outline our path. We received’t be actually free till everybody could make choices about their very own our bodies, lives, reproductive care, and futures. Each individual ought to have the appropriate to manage what occurs to their physique, and entry to healthcare that helps their private choices.

Keep in mind, North Dakota voters rejected an abortion ban on the poll field in 2014 by an amazing 2:1 margin. The message was clear, politicians shouldn’t be in command of our lives, we should always. But right here we’re once more. For all of those causes, Gov. Burgum should veto SB 2150.

Amy Jacobson is govt director of Prairie Motion.

This letter doesn’t essentially mirror the opinion of The Discussion board’s editorial board nor Discussion board possession.