Quick News Roundup: 01/06/11
Domestic: In Kentucky, a bill requiring women to view an image of an ultrasound of their unborn child before an abortion just made it through committee. This is an expansion of existing informed consent laws in Kentucky which require information to be provided to the patient 24 hours before the procedure is to take place. This fall during the gubernatorial elections in Mississippi, a personhood amendment will be on the ballot. Supporters of the initiative were requried to obtain over 89,000 signatures from certified voters in the state of Mississippi. Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana are the only States which will be holding their gubernatorial elections in 2011.
International: In Zambia, a doctor is being held in custody after an abortion he performed in his office, after hours, in the bathroom, led to the death of the 19 year old high school student. After the recent ruling by the EU’s Human Rights Court, Ireland‘s Labor Party feels that new legislation needs to be proposed. The ruling stated Irish law violated a woman’s human rights by prohibiting abortions when the life of the mother is in jeopardy. While some are calling this the European Roe vs. Wade, it only has stated that the fact that there was no life of the mother exemption violated a woman’s human rights. In light of the court ruling, the Irish Medical Council clarified their position on abortion, which can be reviewed here.
Discussion Topic: It’s a new year, so new concerns, new Congress, new legislative bodies all across the globe. What are your hopes for the coming year?
EDIT – 01/06/11 04:04 PM EST – Edited for clarification on KY law, 2011 elections, and Irish ruling
Just a couple edifying comments.
1. Requires her to view an ultrasound, requires one to be shown, requires one to be offered, or prohibits them from refusing to show her?
2. Are MS and LA the only such states? If not, you should says so, because now it looks like you're just mentioning Louisiana out of nowhere.
2. I think you mean the *lack* of a life-of-the-mother exception violated a woman's human rights.
Thanks for the comments, Nulono. I just edited the post for clairification purposes.
So it requires her to actually view it?
Yes. That's the way I understood the law.