Irish health minister defends abortion ban referendum

Irish health minister defends abortion ban referendum

The Associated Press
Gregory Katz
January 30, 2018

LONDON — Irish women are having abortions regardless of a near-total constitutional ban on terminating pregnancies, the country’s health minister said Tuesday in defence of a planned referendum that will ask voters whether the amendment should be repealed.

Health Minister Simon Harris said on Ireland’s RTE television that he is beginning work on a proposed abortion law that would be submitted to parliament if the May referendum removes the constitutional ban. The legislation would allow abortions during the first trimester, he said.

Continued: http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/irish-health-minister-working-on-proposed-new-abortion-law

Ireland is holding a referendum on abortion – now let’s talk about Australia

Ireland is holding a referendum on abortion - now let's talk about Australia
The Emerald Isle legalised same-sex marriage before us and looks like they could pip us to the post with reproductive rights too.

Jan 30, 2018
By Kate Wagner

We woke up to the progressive news Ireland will be holding a referendum on abortion. Their constitution as it stands now effectively bans terminations, deeming them illegal except in specific cases when there is a threat to the life of the mother.

Given the country's deeply religious roots, the fact criminalising abortion is enshrined in their constitution may not be shocking, but it is deeply troubling.

Continued: https://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/news/ireland-decriminalise-abortions-what-about-australia-25766

At last, an abortion referendum. Women’s protest has won over Irish politicians

At last, an abortion referendum. Women’s protest has won over Irish politicians

Emer O'Toole
Tue 30 Jan 2018

Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin have shifted from anti-abortion stances. If we can convince them, we can convince our families and friends

On Monday night, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed that Ireland will hold a referendum on abortion in late May. The electorate will be asked if they want to repeal or retain the eighth amendment to the constitution, which effectively bans terminations. In the case of repeal, people will also be asked to approve an addition to the constitution allowing the Oireachtas, the Irish legislature, to legislate for abortion. The government will draft legislation for unrestricted access to terminations up to 12 weeks, but this will only be voted on if the referendum passes.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/30/abortion-referendum-ireland-women-protest-politicians-leo-varadkar-micheal-martin-repeal-mov?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_todayworld

Which European countries have the strictest abortion rules?

Which European countries have the strictest abortion rules?
By Alice Cuddy
30/01/2018

Euronews looks at abortion regulations across the European Union to find out whether countries are pro- or anti-abortion.
Which European countries have the strictest abortion rules?

The Irish government has agreed to hold a referendum this year on whether to reform the country’s near-total ban on abortion.

The vote on whether to repeal a constitutional amendment from 1983 that effectively bans terminations is expected to spark strong debate between those in favour of reforms and those who want the policy to stay put.

Continued: http://www.euronews.com/2018/01/30/which-european-countries-have-the-strictest-abortion-rules-

30.01.2018

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abortion law in the EU

abortion legislation in Europe

Amnesty International

Anna Blus

Center for Reproductive Rights

International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network

Ireland: Nuance and abortion: Churches, other faiths, and atheists differ

Nuance and abortion: Churches, other faiths, and atheists differ
All churches and faiths abhor abortion but most agree it can be the lesser evil

Patsy McGarry
Mon, Jan 29, 2018

It is highly unlikely Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant churches or its other faiths will take an active part in political campaigning leading up to the abortion referendum later this year.

They tend to avoid such campaigning in the main, apart from some individual clergy.

However, they will articulate their views in sermons or when asked by media, including being invited to take part in debates, and through their own leaflets, online and in other relevant publications.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/nuance-and-abortion-churches-other-faiths-and-atheists-differ-1.3371629?mode=amp

Ireland: Five rules for a open and civil debate on the abortion referendum

Five rules for a open and civil debate on the abortion referendum
All sides should understand that all the ethical issues that abortion raise are “up for debate”

Mon, Jan 29, 2018
Alberto Giubilini

In a few months, Ireland is going to have a referendum on whether to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion. Few topics raise more disagreement, controversy and heated reactions than abortion. Abortion strikes emotional chords and touches upon issues to which people are very sensitive, such as the value of human life, women’s bodily rights, religious prescriptions and freedom of conscience (for doctors).

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/five-rules-for-a-open-and-civil-debate-on-the-abortion-referendum-1.3372591

USA – Unconstitutional, Trump-Backed 20-Week Abortion Ban Goes Down in Senate

Unconstitutional, Trump-Backed 20-Week Abortion Ban Goes Down in Senate

Jan 29, 2018
Christine Grimaldi

An unconstitutional 20-week abortion ban notable for attempting to legitimize junk science and foist onerous reporting requirements on rape and incest survivors came to a halt on Monday in the U.S. Senate.

The perennial GOP-sponsored legislation (S 2311) failed, 51-46, to reach the Senate’s 60-vote threshold typically required to advance controversial legislation around a filibuster. GOP Sens. Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK), who have mixed voting records on abortion rights, voted against the 20-week ban. Three Democrats—Sens. Joe Manchin (WV), Joe Donnelly (IN), and Bob Casey (PA)—crossed party lines to vote for it. Manchin and Donnelly both serve on the federal advisory board of Democrats For Life of America, an anti-choice group that uses conservative talking points and medically unsupported falsehoods about reproductive health care.

Continued: https://rewire.news/article/2018/01/29/unconstitutional-trump-backed-20-week-abortion-ban-goes-senate

South Africa: Abortion – the legal service performed mostly illegally

Abortion – the legal service performed mostly illegally

HEALTH-E NEWS South Africa
29 Jan 2018

Healthworkers who refuse to help women who want abortions are driving them into the arms of illegal abortionists who perform more than half of the country’s procedures. But activists believe it is time to stop stigmatising this service. GILL GIFFORD reports for HEALTH-E NEWS.

“I did not used to agree with abortion, but I changed my view. It took the death of a close friend and colleague who had procured an abortion. I promised I would meet her in theatre. She collapsed 30 minutes before. Her womb was rotten. I operated on her and found massive infection. Her insides were full of pus. She was in ICU, and I prayed for her. She died after 10 days and her mother had to take in her four-year old son.”

Continued: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-01-29-health-e-news-abortion-the-legal-service-performed-mostly-illegally/

Ireland to hold May referendum on abortion law reform

Ireland to hold May referendum on abortion law reform

National plebiscite on abolishing eighth amendment and allowing terminations up to 12 weeks

Henry McDonald Ireland correspondent
Mon 29 Jan 2018

Ireland will hold a referendum in May on reforming the country’s strict anti-abortion laws, according to the country’s health minister.

Simon Harris confirmed on Monday that the national plebiscite will also allow for the Irish parliament to later devise legislation that would permit abortion in Ireland’s hospitals for women who are up to 12 weeks pregnant.

The Fine Gael-led administration met to discuss the terms of the referendum to abolish the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/29/ireland-to-greenlight-referendum-on-abortion-law-reform

29.01.2018

USA: Senate Rejects Measure to Ban Abortion After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy

Senate Rejects Measure to Ban Abortion After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
JAN. 29, 2018

WASHINGTON — The Senate rejected a bill on Monday to ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a largely symbolic vote aimed at forcing vulnerable Democrats to take a stand that could hurt their prospects for re-election in states won by President Trump.

By a vote of 51 to 46, the measure fell well short of the 60-vote threshold required for the Senate to break a Democratic filibuster. The outcome was not a surprise, and the vote fell mostly along party lines.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/us/politics/senate-abortion-ban-20-weeks.html