Alabama has become the latest in a series of US states to pass a Bill protecting the life of the unborn.
The new law to protect unborn children from abortion, unless the mother’s life is at serious risk, has sparked furious opposition from abortion lobbyists.
The Bill, signed off by Governor Kay Ivey yesterday, is due to come into effect in November.
Human rights
Women will not be prosecuted, but doctors will face a maximum of ten years in prison for attempting abortion and a possible life sentence for carrying one out.
Supporters expect the Bill to be blocked by pro-abortion judges, but hope it will result in a hearing at the US Supreme Court.
State Senator Clyde Chambliss, said: “Human life has rights, and when someone takes those rights, that’s when we as a government have to step in.
“When God creates that life, that miracle of life inside the woman’s womb, it’s not our place as humans to extinguish that life.”
‘Gift from God’
The American Civil Liberties Union and abortion business Planned Parenthood have already threatened to start legal proceedings against state lawmakers.
But Governor Kay Ivey said “this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God.”
And Alabama’s Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, said he was “proud that Alabama is leading the way” on challenging abortion law nationwide.
Protections
This week, Missouri lawmakers passed a Bill by 24 votes to ten, protecting unborn life after eight weeks of pregnancy.
According to the BBC, 16 other states are seeking to introduce new laws to protect unborn life.
Abortion was legalised in the US more than 40 years ago, following the landmark Roe v Wade Supreme Court ruling.
