A British judge ordered an abortion by a mentally ill female of Nigerian descent, despite both the woman and her mother’s objections.
The judge said that to save the woman from pain and trauma, 22-week pregnancy must be aborted.
“I am acutely conscious of the fact that for the state to order a woman to have a termination where it appears that she does not want it is an immense intrusion,” Justice Nathalie Lieven of the Court of Protection said in her ruling Friday. “I have to operate in [her] best interests, not on society’s views of termination.”
The Court of Protection deals with instances concerning individuals who are unable to create choices on their own.
The woman was said to be in her twenties, but she has a developmental handicap and a nine-year-old mental age. She was reportedly under British National Health Scheme custody. She was also looked after by her mom, who was recognized as a Nigerian. She insisted on forcing her daughter against their Catholic faith to have an abortion.
The judge said the woman would be unable to take care of a baby and was worried about the hazards presented by the behavioral and psychological issues of the woman.
She said the woman may have to leave home if the baby was placed in the care of the woman’s mother. The child could also potentially be placed into foster care. She said she believed the woman would suffer more distress if the baby was taken away, rather than if it was terminated, according to UK media reports.
The judge also casts doubts about the capacity of the woman to comprehend the meaning of having a child.
“I think she would like to have a baby in the same way she would like to have a nice doll,” Ms Lieven said.
Online sympathizers criticized Saturday’s decision, stating the judge had a record of pro-abortion. The Catholic Church was encouraged to pick up the case of the woman and move her to the Vatican.
The decision was also condemned by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, calling on rights organizations to demonstrate outrage and the U.S. government to allow the female and her mother to relocate to the U.S.
If story accurate 22 week pregnant disabled woman is being required to undergo a forced abortion by UK court.
The U.S. should offer her & her mother a visa.
And why are the voices who always talk about a woman’s right to choose so quiet on this?
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 22, 2019
