Comparing North Carolina’s New Abortion Rules to Europe

Why North Carolina’s Abortion Law Puts It More in Line with Europe Than China or North Korea

Liberal politicians and media outlets often hold up Europe as the ideal for progressive policies, including abortion rights. However, when North Carolina recently passed a law banning most abortions after 12 weeks, Democrats and the mainstream media were quick to criticize. But the truth is, North Carolina is now more aligned with Europe than it is with China or North Korea.

Europe’s Abortion Laws

Most European countries cut off elective abortion at 10-12 weeks, with Germany and Belgium allowing up to 14 weeks for elective abortions. After that period, many countries require one or two doctors to agree it’s necessary. Some countries allow later abortions for severe birth defects or abnormalities. In fact, a study released by the Charlotte Lozier Institute found that 47 out of 50 European countries either do not allow elective abortion or limit it to 15 weeks or earlier.

The United States’ Abortion Laws

Contrary to popular belief, the United States is one of only seven nations in the world that permits nontherapeutic or elective abortion-on-demand after the 20th week of gestation. Mississippi lawmakers wrote in defense of a ban on most abortions after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, stating that “fully 75% of all nations do not permit abortion after 12 weeks gestation, except (in most instances) to save the life and to preserve the physical health of the mother.”

Despite this, many Democrats and media outlets continue to criticize North Carolina’s abortion law, claiming it is an assault on women’s reproductive freedom. However, the law is more in line with Europe’s restrictive abortion laws than it is with China or North Korea, which are the only other countries that permit elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

It’s time to recognize that North Carolina’s abortion law is not regressive, but rather, it puts the state more in line with Europe’s restrictive abortion laws.

• Fact Check: The Washington Post’s “fact-checkers” ruled in 2017 that “the U.S. is one of only seven countries that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.”
• Author: Joseph Curl has covered politics for 35 years, including 12 years as White House correspondent for a national newspaper. He was also the a.m. editor of the Drudge Report for four years.