New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Reproductive Rights in Landmark Decision – ACLU of New Mexico

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico Supreme Court Delivers Historic Decision in Reproductive Rights Case

Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court delivered a unanimous and historic decision in the case of State of New Mexico v. Board of County Commissioners for Lea County, marking a significant victory for reproductive rights and constitutional principles. The case centered around anti-abortion laws enacted in Lea and Roosevelt counties, and the cities of Hobbs and Clovis, with New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez leading the charge to challenge their constitutionality.

Relevance of House Bill 7

The oral arguments also considered the relevance of House Bill 7, The Reproductive Health Care Freedom Act, a bill passed earlier this year that prohibits public bodies like local governments from denying, restricting or discriminating against an individual’s right to use or refuse reproductive or gender-affirming care.

This unanimous landmark decision not only protects the reproductive rights of individuals in Lea, Roosevelt and Curry counties but also sets a precedent for the broader fight to safeguard these rights across the state.

Support from Eastern New Mexico Rising

“Eastern New Mexico Rising applauds the New Mexico Supreme Court for their unwavering affirmation that abortion as healthcare is protected in New Mexico. This is a win for residents of Eastern New Mexico in particular, sending the message loud and clear that local governments are not exempted from HB-7. We also wish to extend sincere thanks to New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez for his steadfast determination to ensure all citizens of New Mexico are protected equally under the law,” said Eastern New Mexico Rising Co-Founder Laura Wight.

Commendation from Tewa Women United

We commend the New Mexico Supreme Court for upholding the principles of justice and defending the rights of all New Mexicans to access reproductive health care, regardless of zip code. We extend our appreciation to Attorney General Raúl Torrez for his unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of New Mexicans. “Tewa Women United believes that every person has the right to make reproductive healthcare decisions, including abortion care, that promote autonomy, dignity, respect, and empowerment. We commend the New Mexico Supreme Court’s decision to protect these rights for all New Mexicans, especially in Indigenous and rural communities, that are upheld by HB 7,” said Wendolyne Omaña, Reproductive Program Manager for Tewa Women United.

Collective Efforts and Amicus Briefs

This victory would not have been possible without the collective efforts of organizations such as Eastern New Mexico Rising, the Lawyering Project, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Forward Together, Bold Futures, and the ACLU of New Mexico. Their amicus briefs played a crucial role in providing the court with a comprehensive understanding of the potential harms associated with restrictive abortion laws.

Protection of LGBTQ New Mexicans

“On behalf of LGBTQ New Mexicans in all 33 counties, we applaud the Court’s decision to protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare for all New Mexicans. Queer and Trans New Mexicans deserve to access the healthcare they need, in their home communities, without interference from local politicians or outdated views of a small but loud minority. We will work to ensure that is true, in practice as well as legally,” said Marshall Martinez, Executive Director of Equality New Mexico.

Affirmation of Constitutional Rights

“The New Mexico Supreme Court affirmed today what we already know to be true: New Mexicans have the dignity and respect to decide what is best for themselves when it comes to reproductive health care. These unconstitutional ordinances were drafted by Texans who are seeking to limit access to critical health care nationwide and embolden government officials to unjustly interfere with health care access. Abortion bans do nothing to protect anyone’s health or safety and we applaud the court on reaffirming that to be true,” said Jazmyn Taitingfong, Reproductive Rights and Gender Equity Attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico.

Planned Parenthood’s Response

“This historic decision is a victory for reproductive freedom and a powerful affirmation of our shared values. These local abortion bans were a direct attack on the constitutional rights of New Mexicans and an attempt to sow fear, shame, and isolation within our communities,” said Adrienne Mansanares, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. “We applaud the court for standing firm in protecting the rights of New Mexicans to make their own health care decisions, free from political interference. With this decision, New Mexico will continue to be a national safe haven where patients, no matter where they live, can find compassion, care, and support when they need it most.”

New Mexico remains dedicated to reproductive health, rights, and justice. We reaffirm our commitment to working towards a society that respects and upholds the bodily autonomy of all New Mexicans.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs
• SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.7: Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
• Indicator for SDG 5.6: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care
• Indicator for SDG 10.3: Existence of legal frameworks to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, and reproductive rights
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aclu-nm.org