‘Barbaric’ dismemberment abortions outlawed in Arkansas and Nebraska

Dismemberment abortions have been outlawed in two US states, after both successfully implemented restrictions on the horrific practice.

Both Nebraska’s and Arkansas’ regulations will punish abortionists who carry out the brutal procedures with fines of thousands of dollars and the threat of imprisonment.

A dismemberment, or ‘dilation and evacuation’ abortion, involves forcibly removing the unborn child’s limbs and crushing its head.

Joy

In Arkansas, the ban on the practice come into effect today. Abortionists who violate it would face up to six years imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000.

A federal court recently reversed a lower court order, clearing the way for the state to uphold its restrictions which had been raised in 2017.

Other rules include a requirement to confirm that an abortion is not sought on the basis of sex selection.

Arkansas attorney general Leslie Rutledge responded to the court’s ruling with joy, saying she would “continue to defend our state’s legal right to protect the unborn”.

‘Barbaric’

Nebraska’s Bill, LB 814, was introduced by Senator Suzanne Geist and also prohibits abortionists from performing dismemberment abortions with penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of $10,000. It passed by 33 votes to eight.

Governor Pete Ricketts, who signed the Bill, said that, as a “pro-life state”, LB 814 “took an important step to strengthen our culture of life”.

After the vote he said the practice had “no place in a humane, civilised society” and thanked supporters of the Bill for “outlawing this barbaric practice in Nebraska”.

Pro-abortion campaigners the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) vowed to fight the Bill.