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Northern Ireland government taken to high court on abortion rights Northern Ireland government taken to high court on abortion rights
(about 2 hours later)
The Northern Ireland human rights commission (NIHRC) is to legally challenge the near blanket ban on abortion in the region. The Northern Ireland human rights commission (NIHRC) is to legally challenge the near-blanket ban on abortion in the region.
The commission announced it would take the devolved government in Belfast to the high court over its refusal to reform the abortion law.The commission announced it would take the devolved government in Belfast to the high court over its refusal to reform the abortion law.
The region is the only part of the UK where the 1967 Abortion Act does not apply. As a result thousands of women from Northern Ireland seeking abortions have to leave the province for terminations in Britain and further afield. The region is the only part of the UK where the 1967 Abortion Act does not apply. As a result, thousands of women from Northern Ireland seeking abortions have to leave the province for terminations in Britain and further afield.
David Ford, Northern Ireland’s justice minister, is currently holding a review into the abortion ban. His department was informed on Wednesday that the NIHRC intends to issue legal proceedings in Belfast’s high court.David Ford, Northern Ireland’s justice minister, is currently holding a review into the abortion ban. His department was informed on Wednesday that the NIHRC intends to issue legal proceedings in Belfast’s high court.
The NIHRC’s legal case will focus on those circumstances where there is serious malformation of the foetus, and where women are made pregnant due to rape and incest. Abortion is only legal in Northern Ireland hospitals in rare circumstances such as when there is a clear, direct risk to a woman’s life if the pregnancy continues. The NIHRC’s legal case will focus on those circumstances where there is serious malformation of the foetus, and where women are made pregnant as a result of rape and incest. Abortion is only legal in Northern Ireland hospitals in rare circumstances such as when there is a clear, direct risk to a woman’s life if the pregnancy continues.
A spokesperson for the commission said on Wednesday: “Since April 2013 we have repeatedly advised the Department of Justice that the existing law is, in the Commission’s view, a violation of human rights. A spokesperson for the commission said on Wednesday: “Since April 2013 we have repeatedly advised the Department of Justice that the existing law is, in the commission’s view, a violation of human rights.
“The Commission is seeking a change in the law so that women and girls in Northern Ireland have the choice of accessing a termination of pregnancy in circumstances of serious malformation of the foetus, rape or incest. “The commission is seeking a change in the law so that women and girls in Northern Ireland have the choice of accessing a termination of pregnancy in circumstances of serious malformation of the foetus, rape or incest.
“Termination of pregnancy is currently available in Northern Ireland if it is necessary to preserve the life of a woman where there is a risk of a serious and adverse effect on her physical or mental health.”“Termination of pregnancy is currently available in Northern Ireland if it is necessary to preserve the life of a woman where there is a risk of a serious and adverse effect on her physical or mental health.”
The NIHRC also criticised a recent Department of Justice document on abortion which the commission said had excluded rape and incest cases.The NIHRC also criticised a recent Department of Justice document on abortion which the commission said had excluded rape and incest cases.
“It deals with cases of lethal foetal abnormality while only seeking public opinion on cases of sexual crime including rape and incest,” the NIHRC said.“It deals with cases of lethal foetal abnormality while only seeking public opinion on cases of sexual crime including rape and incest,” the NIHRC said.
“The issues raised by this challenge are of public interest and the Commission recognises the sensitivities of this case. “The issues raised by this challenge are of public interest and the commission recognises the sensitivities of this case.
“Given the vulnerability of women and girls in these situations, the Commission considers it appropriate to use its powers and bring this legal challenge in its own name.” “Given the vulnerability of women and girls in these situations, the commission considers it appropriate to use its powers and bring this legal challenge in its own name.”
The NIHRC is taking the case based on three key articles in the European convention on human rights: article three on freedom from and inhuman and degrading treatment; article eight on the right to privacy and article 14 protecting citizens against discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status. The NIHRC is taking the case based on three key articles in the European convention on human rights: article three on freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment; article eight on the right to privacy and article 14 protecting citizens against discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.
In October, Amnesty International published a public attitudes survey which showed that close to 70% of people in Northern Ireland supported the introduction of abortion in cases of rape and incest. The same survey carried out by local pollster Millward Brown Ulster found that 60% of the public in the region would support abortion in cases of foetal abnormality. In October, Amnesty International published a public attitudes survey that showed that close to 70% of people in Northern Ireland supported the introduction of abortion in cases of rape and incest. The same survey carried out by local pollster Millward Brown Ulster found that 60% of the public in the region would support abortion in cases of foetal abnormality.
However, the majority of political parties at the Stormont assembly have consistently opposed the reform on the abortion law – an issue which cuts across the usual sectarian divide in the region. However, the majority of political parties at the Stormont assembly have consistently opposed the reform on the abortion law – an issue that cuts across the usual sectarian divide in the region.