SW News: Governor Kevin Stitt of the US State of Oklahoma condemned the state Supreme Court opinion abortion can be allowed at any point in pregnancy if the mother's life is at risk. In a narrow win for the pro-abortion advocates, the apex court on Tuesday gave its opinion that the state constitution guarantees the right to terminate the pregnancy when it threatens the mother's life.

Denouncing the divided court opinion, Governor Stitt expressed his objection over the opinion that would pave the way for abortion in the state. He said, "Alarmingly, this activist majority acted out of hand by making a policy decision that belongs to the people."

The governor further decried how the court never mentioned the unborn in the 20-page opinion. Therefore, Stitt pointed out the responsibility of every individual to protect and save both the unborn and the mother. Emphasizing the same, he said, "this is what the majority of the Oklahomans believe, which is why the Legislature has passed, and I have signed, numerous laws banning abortion."

In the 5-4 opinion, the SC found that a woman has the right to an abortion under the state constitution if her doctor determines that continuing pregnancy will jeopardize her life because of a condition she currently has or is most likely to develop while she is pregnant. Prior, termination of pregnancy was allowed only during a medical emergency.

The 2022 law banned abortion providers from doing so unless the mother's life is "endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness or physical injury." The less strict pre-Roe ban allowed abortion in case of a medical emergency.

Oklahoma State has one of the nation's strictest abortion laws, banning abortions from the time of fertilization. In addition, those who abet, assist, or provide the termination of pregnancy can also be sued under the law.