Experts highlight gaps in framework

QUESTIONS remain over how the new framework in the US will operate and whether or not religious beliefs outside of the Christian faith will be respected.

Islamic scholar Ellisa Parker (pictured) said while abortion wasn’t mentioned directly in the Koran, modern followers would support a woman’s choice in certain circumstances and within 120 days.

She said some of the main reasons included foetal impairment beyond what could be managed with modern science, rape, incest, social and economical factors and the protection of one’s health.

“Although we see the global events of Islam today, these rights were given to women a long time ago,” she said.

“It’s quite disappointing to see America, which is seen as quite a progressive country, take us back by almost 1400 years.”

James Cook University law lecturer Shaune Williams said the law in each of the states which have made abortions illegal would need to be researched to know if any exemptions would be made.

However, the law expert said he would be surprised if many prosecutions for illegal abortions occurred at all in these states.

“Abortion clinics in proabortion states are likely to capitalise on the quasi-monopoly they will now have in offering the procedure where others don’t,” he said.

“Underground illegal clinics might operate in the antiabortion states, (but) I wonder about the cost-effectiveness of this when weighed against the risk of prosecution.

“If it does happen, the real issue lies not in the penalties upon prosecution, but in the health and safety risks to those women who are left with no choice but to undergo backyard abortion procedures.”