Arkansas Defends Pro-Life Laws After Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Abortion Ban
Arkansas Right to Life leaders are defending the state’s abortion restrictions — arguing that the statute protects both pregnant women and unborn children — after a Pulaski County judge allowed a lawsuit challenging pro-life laws to move forward.
Circuit Judge Cara Connors dismissed Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the state of Arkansas as defendants Nov. 6 but allowed the case to continue against Attorney General Tim Griffin, three prosecutors, and the Arkansas Medical Board.
The plaintiffs, six women and an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), argue that Arkansas’ pro-life laws are unconstitutionally vague and violate the rights guaranteed by the Arkansas Constitution. The law includes an exception to save a mother’s life in a medical emergency, but no exceptions for rape or incest.
Sharai Amaya, Arkansas Right to Life’s president and an OB-GYN, disputes the claim that the law is vague. She said physicians must use their reasonable judgment to recognize when a woman’s life is in danger and that lawmakers cannot enumerate every possible medical emergency.
Get the latest pro-life news and information on X (Twitter). Follow @LifeNewsHQ
“I, as an OBGYN, have never been fearful of the law when taking care of patients,” Amaya said. “Arkansas protects mothers, babies, and their physicians when they are genuinely trying to do the right thing.”
Amaya also challenged the plaintiffs’ argument that the law infringes their right to life, saying unborn children have a right to life as well.
“The women involved in this lawsuit argue that the law deprives them of their ‘right to life,’ but what about the pre-born babies? The plaintiff blatantly ignores the fact that the baby is a living human being that also has a right to life,” she said.
“Arkansas pro-life laws are clear. They value both the life of the mother and the baby,” said Amber Singleton, the organization’s executive director. “Arkansas pro-life laws specify that when the life of the mother is in danger, then the baby should be delivered. In rare cases the baby may not survive an early birth in order for the mom’s life to be saved, but this does not transgress our laws.”
Singleton said she had personally interviewed more than 10 OB-GYNs who practice or have practiced in Arkansas and that none reported problems providing proper patient care under the state’s laws. Based on those conversations, she concluded that the restrictions do not prevent physicians from providing excellent care when they seek to preserve both lives.
Griffin’s office said it would appeal the partial denial of the state’s motion to dismiss and continue defending Arkansas law. Judge Connors has not yet ruled on the plaintiffs’ request to block the ban, and a hearing date on their request for a preliminary injunction has not been set.
