Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito ridiculed prominent figures around the world, including Prince Harry and outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. for Speaking out against in decision overturn Roe v. Wade.
In what seemed to him first public comments after decision was transferred down last Within a month, Alito dismissed criticism from the British couple, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He delivered the keynote speech at the conference on religious freedom in Rome last the week that was hosted Notre Dame Law School. The speech was only posted online by school Thursday.
Alito, who the author of an argument that overturns a landmark decision that enshrines the right to abortion. in USA condemned global numbers for weighing in on “American law”.
“I had the honor of term of writing I think the only Supreme Court decision in in history of the institution that was criticized by a whole string of foreign leaders – who felt great commenting on American law,” Alito said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
“One of It was former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but he paid pricehe joked, apparently referring to Johnson. decision to step down as prime minister against the backdrop of domestic scandals and widespread criticism of his leadership is from his own Conservative Party.
“But what really hurt me – what really hurt me – is when the duke of Sussex turned to the United Nations and seemed to compare decisionwhose name must not be spoken, with Russian attack on Ukraine,” Alito said, referring to Harry.
Harry called 2022 a “painful year” year in painful decade”, during a speech on 18 July.
He said world was a witness global to attack on democracy and freedom”, pointing to the “terrible war in Ukraine at the box office back of constitutional rights here in United States, among others global events as examples.
Meanwhile, Johnson criticized decision how “big step back,” a spokesperson said. for Johnson office there was nothing to add to his remarks.
Harry and Johnson were far from alone with Macron tweeted that abortion is a “fundamental right”. for all women that “should be protected” while Trudeau branded decision “terrible”, saying “No governmentpolitician or person should tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body”.
Others, including global women health groups, also joined criticism.
During his speech in Rome last week, Alito said that “despite this temptation, I will not talk about cases from other countries.”
“All I’m going to say is that, ultimately, if we’re going to win in battle to protect religious freedom in an increasingly secular society, we will need more than positive law,” he said.
Alito also praised US efforts to protect religious freedom around the world. world saying: “Religious freedom is international problem but I think we Americans can special pride in our country’s contribution to development of a global at least consensus on level of international agreements in support of it’s a fundamental right.”
“Religious freedom is under attack in many places because it is dangerous for those who want Keep complete power’, he said, adding: ‘This is also probably growing out of something dark and deep in Human DNA, tendency to mistrust and dislike people who not like myself”.
Earlier this month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at protecting access to abortion as part of his administration’s response to the Supreme Court ruling.
Biden said the Supreme Court decision was “completely erroneous” and “extreme”.
“It was not decision in accordance with the constitution,” he said. “The court has made clear it won’t protect the rights of women”.
