Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Resolution Declaring Abortion as a Human Right

WASHINGTON DC – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced a Congressional Resolution affirming reproductive freedom as a human right. According to the UN Committee on Human Rights, parties to the the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the United States, are obliged to protect reproductive freedom. Following the Dobbs decision, many states are not upholding their obligations under the ICCPR and other human rights treaties. The resolution is co-led by Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), Congresswoman Jennifer McCllelan (VA-04) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08).

The House resolution comes in the wake of reporting on the tragic deaths of Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, women who died because they could not access legal abortions and timely medical care in Georgia. Experts link their deaths directly to the state’s restrictive abortion ban, a consequence of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“We are seeing the deadly result of abortion bans in Georgia and around the country. Just last week, ProPublica reported on the deaths of two Georgia women, Candi Miller and Amber Thurman, who died because they could not receive the abortion care they desperately needed. That is why this resolution is important: it affirms that reproductive freedom is a fundamental human right according to the United States’ own law and that state abortion bans are violating federal law and endangering the lives of women.”

As a result of the Dobbs decision and the overturning of the federal right to abortion, in the U.S. at least 26 states—representing about half of the U.S. population—abortion is either banned completely, heavily restricted to the earliest days of pregnancy, or under legal threat. And 15 states have criminal penalties for patients and providers.

Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) said:

“Too many women have already died from Donald Trump’s abortion bans, and even one more is too many. Abortions are healthcare, and reproductive justice is a human right. I will continue to stand up for women’s rights until they are restored nationwide.”

Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) said: 

“Access to safe, legal abortion is healthcare. It’s as fundamental as any other medical service. I’m proud to support this resolution because it sends a message that no matter where you live in this country, your rights to make decisions about your body and your health should not be up for debate. That’s a matter for you, your doctor, and your family. Not the government.”

Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) said: 

“Texas is ground zero in the fight for abortion rights, with many of my constituents now traveling hundreds of miles to get the health care they need. Let me be clear: Reproductive rights are human rights. We won’t stop fighting until abortion rights are restored and protected across the U.S.” 

Congresswoman Jennifer McCllelan (VA-04) said: 

“After Trump-appointed Justices on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, conservative legislatures and judges across the nation have unleashed extreme abortion bans and restrictions to comprehensive reproductive health care. Reproductive health care is a public health, social justice, economic, civil rights, and human rights issue. I thank Congresswoman Williams for her leadership on this resolution, as we affirm that reproductive rights are part of our obligations under international human rights treaties.”

This legislation is endorsed by over 130 leading reproductive rights organizations, including: Ipas Partners for Reproductive Justice, Pregnancy Justice, If/When/How, Global Justice Center and National Council of Jewish Women. 

Congresswoman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) said:

“After MAGA justices on the Supreme Court ripped away abortion access from tens of millions of Americans, it is critical to recommit ourselves to the fight for reproductive freedom in America and across the globe. Safeguarding the right to make your own health care decisions—without interference from far-theocrats—is a human right and urgent global imperative. I’m grateful to Rep. Williams for introducing this Resolution and will stand with her and our House Democratic colleagues until abortion access is recognized as a human right and is protected for all.”

Bethany Van Kampen Saravia, Senior Legal and Policy Advisor, Ipas US said:

“Let’s be perfectly clear—we are in a public health crisis. These continuous rollbacks on reproductive freedoms violate international human rights law. There is no question about it, abortion is healthcare and a human right.

Instead of undermining human rights with restrictions that criminalize young people, mothers, and often those most struggling to access care and make ends meet—sometimes costing them their health, wellbeing and even their lives—the US should be doing all it can to right the course, to increase access to life-saving health care and uphold its commitments to the human rights treaties it is party to.

 These local resolutions, proclamations and ordinances are the first step in implementing the recommendations from the United Nations Human Rights Committee to take swift actions to protect access to critical reproductive healthcare including abortion. We urge other state and local governments to join in the fight to protect our reproductive freedom. They too can play an important role in ensuring the US upholds its human rights obligations.

Lourdes Rivera, President, Pregnancy Justice said: 

“There is a direct line between abortion bans and the dehumanization of all people who can become pregnant. Restricting necessary and life-saving abortion care creates a situation where all pregnancy outcomes are at risk of state surveillance and control, from birth to abortion. Pregnant people deserve equitable treatment — no person should fear punishment or death because they become pregnant. Thank you, Representative Nikema Williams, and everyone championing reproductive freedom by introducing this resolution.”

Jamie M. Gher, Senior Legal Advisor, Global Justice Center said:

“While state governments in the United States were relentlessly chipping away at abortion access, international human rights bodies and experts were making it clear that abortion is a key component of healthcare and access must be guaranteed as a fundamental human right. Today’s historic resolution recognizes this reality and charts a path forward for the United States to live up to its human rights commitments to ensure nondiscriminatory access to reproductive healthcare.”

Farah Diaz-Tello, Senior Counsel and Legal Director, If/When/How said: 

“No one should have to weigh their fear of criminalization against their health and life, but the overturning of Roe v. Wade has made this a widespread reality for people living in states where abortion is now banned. As we know from the calls we get on the Repro Legal Helpline, the bail we pay through the Repro Legal Defense Fund, and the cases we litigate–people are being punished, criminalized, and separated from their families for seeking abortion or helping their loved ones access care. This horrifying reality created by anti-abortion judges, politicians, and advocates is costing people their lives, safety, and freedom. State and local governments must uphold our human rights and take action to ensure everyone can get the abortion they need, in their community, without barriers.”

Sheila Katz, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women said: 

“This resolution confirms what the Jewish community has long upheld: reproductive rights are human rights. Amid relentless attacks on these rights at virtually every level of government, affirming women’s access to the high-quality healthcare we deserve has never been more urgent. National Council of Jewish Women deeply thanks Rep. Nikema Williams for leading this crucial resolution to recognize abortion as a human right. Women’s rights are fundamental rights, and we will remain unwavering in our fight for bodily autonomy until the law reflects this undeniable truth.”