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Senator Kyrsten Sinema slams near-total ban on abortion in Arizona: 'It removes basic rights of women'

As per the new law set by judge Kellie Johnson, abortion will be allowed only when a pregnant woman's life is at risk

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson of Pima County released a ruling on Friday, September 23 stating that women in Arizona will now be able to get an abortion only when a pregnant woman's life is at risk. All other forms of abortion including the cases of rape or incest will be considered illegal. 

Moreover, the injunction was lifted a day before a new law that would ban most procedures after 15 weeks was scheduled to take effect. The new rule has sparked an uproar on social media. Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema took to social media to raise her concerns over the matter.

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Krysten stated on Twitter on Saturday, September 24, "A woman’s health care decisions should be between her, her family, and her doctor. Today’s decision removes basic rights Arizona women have relied upon for over a century and endangers their health, safety, and well-being. 1/3."

In another tweet, she added, "Arizona women should not be forced to travel out of state for health care services, and Arizona doctors should not be criminalized for caring for women in need. 2/3".

She further said," I’ll continue working with anyone to advance commonsense proposals ensuring women in Arizona and across the country can access the health care they need and have the ability to make their own decisions about their futures. 3/3"

However, Republican Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich applauded and accepted the ruling since Brnovich wanted tougher restrictions in his state. Prior to that, Governor Doug Ducey (R) had enacted a 15-week ban on abortion. Krysten's tweets come a day after Judge Johnson's ruled that the state can enforce an abortion ban that has been blocked for nearly 50 years since the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v Wade protected abortion access nationwide. 

Arizona is among at least 14 states which have outlawed most abortions. There have been a lot of hues and cries over abortion laws in the country ever since Supreme Court overturned the Roe v Wade abortion ruling in May 2022. The new law of Arizona reinstated by the judge goes back to the law in 1864 where it banned all abortions with no exception for rape or incest. The only exception involved was when the recipient's life was in danger. It was later updated and codified in 1901. However, many states failed to update their laws after the provision of those federal abortion protections. Meanwhile, in June, US supreme court’s current conservative majority eliminated the provision for federal abortion protection. Under the new law, doctors or other healthcare professionals who terminate pregnancies could face between two and five years in prison.