U.S. abortion decision draws cheers, horror abroad
The Supreme Court’s decision Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade — and revoke the constitutional right to an abortion — triggered a mixture of condemnation and elation outside the United States as politicians and activists on both sides of the debate braced for potential ripple effects in their countries.
World leaders and abortion rights advocates described the ruling as “horrific” and “appalling.” Crowds protested in cities including London, Paris and Ottawa.
“One of the darkest days for women’s rights in my lifetime,” Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon tweeted.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the decision “clearly has massive impacts on people’s thinking around the world.” He called it “big step backwards.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described it as “horrific.” “No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body,” he tweeted.
“Abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected,” French President Emmanuel Macron said, as lawmakers in Paris proposed enshrining it in the French Constitution.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, told Reuters he was “very disappointed.”
“I would have expected America to protect such rights,” he said.