Leaders of countries that are allied with the United States lamented the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade and effectively return abortion legislation to the states.
The leaders of longtime American allies like France, the United Kingdom, and Canada all decried the American high court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Liberal Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the decision “horrific.”
“My heart goes out to the millions of American women who are now set to lose their legal right to an abortion. I can’t imagine the fear and anger you are feeling right now,” he tweeted. “No government, politician, or man should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body.”
He told reporters that the decision was a “devastating setback.”
Prior to the Roe decision, at least one Canadian official said that Americans would be welcome to come to Canada to get abortions.
“I don’t see why we would not,” Canadian Minister of Families head Karina Gould told CBC News. “If they, people, come here and need access, certainly, you know, that’s a service that would be provided.”
Canada has no federal restrictions on abortions, and women can abort their unborn child at any stage of the pregnancy. Abortions in the country are also publicly funded.
French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron said that the Supreme Court was undermining the “liberties” of women.
“Abortion is a fundamental right for all women. It must be protected. I wish to express my solidarity with the women whose liberties are being undermined by the Supreme Court of the United States,” he tweeted.
In France, abortions for any reason are only allowed up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. The law the Supreme Court upheld in Dobbs limited abortions after 15 weeks, while states like California and New York have even more liberal abortion laws than France.
Boris Johnson, prime minister of Britain, expressed a similar sentiment as Trudeau, calling the ruling a “big step backward.”
“I’ve always believed in a woman’s right to choose, and I stick to that view,” Johnson said, “And that’s why the U.K. has the laws that it does.”
In England, Scotland, and Wales, women can get abortions up to 24 weeks if two doctors agree that abortion would be better for the woman’s mental and physical health than having the baby. After that, there are certain circumstance when abortions are allowed.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederickson, was particularly heartbroken by the overturning of Roe.
“My heart weeps for the girls and women of the USA. A huge set back.The right to a free abortion is one of the most fundamental rights there is. We must never compromise the unrestricted right of women to decide over their own bodies and future,” she stated.
In Denmark, abortion for any reason is allowed for up to 12 weeks. After that, there are certain exceptions made including age, income, and occupation.