Center for Reproductive Rights

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Center for Reproductive Rights
FormationMay 14, 1992; 32 years ago (1992-05-14)[1]
TypeNonprofit organization
13-3669731[2]
Legal status501(c)(3)[2]
PurposeThe advancement of reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right.[3]
HeadquartersNew York City
Region served
Global
Nancy Northup[4]
Amy Metzler Ritter[4]
Revenue (2018)
$34,071,507[3]
Expenses (2018)$28,873,813[3]
Employees (2017)
179[3]
Volunteers (2017)
19[3]
Websitereproductiverights.org
Formerly called
Center for Reproductive Law and Policy[5]

The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) is a global legal advocacy organization, headquartered in New York City,[6] that seeks to advance reproductive rights, such as abortion. The organization's stated mission is to "use the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill."[7] Founded by Janet Benshoof in 1992, its original name was the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy.[5]

CharityWatch rates the Center for Reproductive Rights "B+".[8]

History

In July 2011, the CRR filed suit against the state of North Dakota over a state law that would ban all medical abortions.[9] In July 2013, the CRR, along with the Red River Women's Clinic, filed a lawsuit against the enactment of so-called "fetal heartbeat", genetic, and sex selection restrictions on abortions.[10] In September 2013, a federal judge dismissed the genetic and sex selection parts of the lawsuit without prejudice.[11]

In 2011 the CRR joined with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood to challenge a law passed which requires women to get an ultrasound four hours before an abortion. In addition, it requires the doctor to put the ultrasound image within the view of the woman and describe it. The plaintiffs have called it an "ideological message," and a violation of the First Amendment. And since the patient is not actually required to listen to what the doctor describes and can even choose to wear blinders and headphones, the plaintiffs went on to call it a "farce."[12]

After suing the Obama administration over the restricted access to birth control, in June 2013 the U.S. Department of Justice ordered that the Obama administration make all forms of emergency contraception available over the counter and without an age restriction.[13]

In recent years, CRR has been one of three primary groups challenging increased state level restrictions to reproductive health and abortion care.[14] In May, the CRR and the ACLU jointly filed suit against a 12-week abortion ban in Arkansas.[15] In June the CRR filed a lawsuit against the state of Kansas to block HB 2253 stating that the abortion restrictions it imposed are unconstitutional.[16] In August a coalition of groups, including the CRR, filed suit in Oklahoma to block enforcement of a law that restricts access to emergency contraception, stating that the law is unconstitutional.[17] In August a federal judge blocked the law from going into effect.[18]

In November 2015, the United States Supreme Court agreed to review stringent restrictions enacted into law by abortion opponents in Texas. Upon coming into force the laws would leave Texas, a state with a population of 27 million, served by only ten clinics, 34 less than the number in service before the laws were enacted. The appeal, handled by the CRR, is U.S. Supreme Court docket number 16-274, Whole Woman's Health v. Cole. It is the first case that the high court has accepted scrutinizing abortion restriction since 2007.[19]

In 2016 the CRR expanded its international program, including the launch of an international litigation campaign that has included the first abortion case decided by the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the first case to frame preventable maternal deaths as a human rights violation.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Center for Reproductive Rights". Division of Corporations. Delaware Department of State. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Center for Reproductive Rights". Tax Exempt Organization Search. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". The Center for Reproductive Rights. Internal Revenue Service. June 30, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Center Leadership & Staff". Center for Reproductive Rights. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Wadler, Joyce (November 4, 1998). "Public Lives: Defending the Defenders of Abortion Rights". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Ohio and Texas are among the battleground states for abortion rights next year". Newsweek. 2016-12-10. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  7. ^ "About Us". Center for Reproductive Rights. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Charity Watch Top Rated Charities". Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Center for Reproductive Rights takes legal action to block North Dakota attack on women's health, abortion rights" (Press release). CRR. 18 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  10. ^ Eckholm. Erik (25 June 2013). "Lawsuit Challenges North Dakota's Abortion Limits". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  11. ^ MacPherson, James (11 September 2013). "Judge Dismisses Part of N. Dakota Abortion Lawsuit". ABC News. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  12. ^ Lopez, Robert (29 August 2013). "Update: Ruling on ultrasounds still 'several weeks' off". News & Record. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  13. ^ Sheppard, Kate (10 June 2013). "Buying Plan B Will No Longer Require an ID or a Prescription". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  14. ^ Sheppard, Kate (14 June 2013). "Republicans Want to Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks. Here's How One Group Is Fighting Back". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  15. ^ "ACLU and Center for Reproductive Rights Ask Federal Court to Block Arkansas Abortion Ban" (Press release). American Civil Liberties Union. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  16. ^ Mason Pieklo, Jessica (24 June 2013). "Center for Reproductive Rights Joins Fight Against Kansas Anti-Abortion Super Bill". Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  17. ^ Hoberock, Barbara (8 August 2013). "Lawsuit would block state's new morning-after pill law". Tulsa World. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  18. ^ "Oklahoma judge blocks law restricting access to morning-after pill". Chicago Sun Times. Associated Press. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  19. ^ Supreme court to decide major abortion case for first time since 2007 Archived 2015-12-01 at the Wayback Machine Lawrence Hurley reporting in Reuters Fri Nov 13, 2015
  20. ^ Cauterucci, Christina (2016-12-01). "Ireland Will Pay Damages to a Woman Forced to Travel Abroad for an Abortion". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
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