Pro-choice groups raise concerns over possible delays to Northern Ireland abortion law

Pro-choice groups raise concerns over possible delays to Northern Ireland abortion law
No 10’s document suggests it may take up to 18 months to implement legislation

Peter Walker, Political correspondent
Wed 17 Jul 2019

Pressure groups have warned against lengthy delays to extending abortion rights to Northern Ireland following a landmark legal amendment last week, after a government document said the process could take as long as 18 months to implement.

Downing Street has committed to introducing the abortion plan after an amendment to a separate Northern Ireland bill by the Labour MP Stella Creasy was passed overwhelmingly by the Commons.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/17/pro-choice-groups-raise-concerns-over-possible-delays-of-northern-ireland-abortion-law

UK parliament votes to extend abortion and same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland

UK parliament votes to extend abortion and same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland

By Haley Ott
July 9, 2019, CBS News

London — Britain's parliament has voted to extend abortion and same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland if the country is unable overcome local political deadlock before Oct. 21. Currently, women who terminate pregnancies in Northern Ireland face life in prison, and doctors are required to turn women who have abortions into the police.

Northern Ireland is part of the U.K. along with England, Scotland and Wales, where same-sex marriage is legal and abortion rights are much more liberal.

Continued: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-k-parliament-votes-to-extend-abortion-and-same-sex-marriage-to-northern-ireland/

09.07.2019

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MPs vote to extend abortion and same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland

MPs vote to extend abortion and same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland
Westminster government has said it will honour both results despite ministerial doubts

Peter Walker, and Rory Carroll in Dublin
Tue 9 Jul 2019

MPs have voted resoundingly to extend same-sex marriage and access to abortion to Northern Ireland, bringing the region into line with the rest of the UK on the two significant social issues.

The two historic votes, arriving within little more than a quarter of an hour of each other, were greeted ecstatically by equalities campaigners. With ministers promising to respect the results, they could have vital repercussions for people in Northern Ireland.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/09/mps-vote-to-extend-same-sex-marriage-to-northern-ireland

UK intervention on global abortion rights ‘welcome’ but urgent need for Northern Ireland law reform remains

UK intervention on global abortion rights 'welcome' but urgent need for Northern Ireland law reform remains

April 9, 2019

Responding to a speech by International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt at an event hosted by the Canadian High Commission yesterday, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Campaign Manager, said:

“We very much welcome the Development Secretary championing abortion rights on a global scale and speaking out in support of women’s right to freedom and choice over their own bodies. The roll-back on reproductive rights in some places around the world is deeply concerning and must be addressed.

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/uk-intervention-global-abortion-rights-welcome-urgent-need-northern-ireland-law

09.04.2019

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UN says Northern Ireland’s abortion laws violate the human rights of women

the UN says northern ireland’s abortion laws violate the human rights of women
A United Nations Committee found that the current restrictive abortion laws in Northern Ireland breach the UK’s international human rights obligations.

by Roisin Lanigan
11 March 2019

While the Republic of Ireland’s historic vote to repeal the 8th Amendment transformed the lives of thousands of women last year, giving them access to healthcare, termination of pregnancies without having to travel and the right to choose, women in Northern Ireland are still suffering. While abortion is now legal in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland, in the North it is still considered a crime, punishable with up to life in prison. On average 28 women every day make the journey to Britain to obtain abortions after being denied medical treatment at home in Northern Ireland.

Since the 8th Amendment was repealed activists in the North have been leading a campaign, #NowForNI, to help those women currently oppressed and left behind by the region’s draconian abortion laws. Today, the campaign received a huge boost as a United Nations Committee said that not only are those laws oppressive, they are also a violation of international human rights obligations.

Continued: https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/panwmb/the-un-says-northern-irelands-abortion-laws-violate-the-human-rights-of-women

Northern Ireland abortion protest led by Derry Girls and cross-party MPs at Westminster

Northern Ireland abortion protest led by Derry Girls and cross-party MPs at Westminster
Karen Bradley must 'stop hiding behind the excuse of devolution' and decriminalise terminations, says Amnesty

Maya Oppenheim, Women's Correspondent @mayaoppenheim
Feb 26, 2019

Female MPs and the stars of the TV programme Derry Girls marched on Westminster to call for the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has a ban on abortions in almost all cases – even rape or incest. Abortion is only permitted when there is a risk to the life of the mother, or a serious risk to her physical or mental health.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/northern-ireland-abortion-protest-derry-girls-westminster-a8798281.html

Derry Girls join Northern Ireland abortion protest

Derry Girls join Northern Ireland abortion protest
Cast members march on Westminster to lobby secretary of state for change in law

Mattha Busby
Tue 26 Feb 2019

Stars of the hit television show Derry Girls have joined a group of female MPs in a march on Westminster calling for the extension of abortion rights to Northern Ireland.

The women, including the actors Siobhan McSweeney and Nicola Coughlan, formed part of a group of 28 to symbolise the number of people who leave Northern Ireland for England and Wales each week to have an abortion.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/26/derry-girls-northern-ireland-abortion-protest

‘Brave’ Belfast woman forced to go to England for abortion launches bid to change law on human rights grounds

'Brave' Belfast woman forced to go to England for abortion launches bid to change law on human rights grounds
'Each time I re-live the trauma. I hope this will be the last time I have to go to court and prove that women like me should be able to access abortion services at home,' says Sarah Ewart

Maya Oppenheim, Women's Correspondent
Jan 29, 2019

A landmark case in Belfast High Court could find Northern Ireland’s abortion law in breach of the UK’s human rights commitments, say experts.

Sarah Ewart, who was forced to travel to England for an abortion after being told her unborn child would not survive outside the womb, has launched a new case which starts on Wednesday.

Continued: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/northern-ireland-abortion-sarah-ewart-high-court-case-human-rights-commission-a8752241.html

Northern Ireland: woman who bought abortion pills for daughter in court to challenge prosecution

Northern Ireland: woman who bought abortion pills for daughter in court to challenge prosecution

5 Nov 2018
Amnesty International

Mother could face a criminal trial and up to 5 years in prison

‘The fear and pain of it all. I feel like I am not allowed to move on’ – mother speaks out

This is the first-time a prosecution relating to Northern Ireland’s restrictive abortion law has been challenged

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/northern-ireland-woman-who-bought-abortion-pills-daughter-court-challenge-1

Northern Irish woman to challenge abortion prosecution

Northern Irish woman to challenge abortion prosecution
Mother fights decision to take her to trial on charges of supplying pills to daughter, 15

Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
Mon 5 Nov 2018

A woman who is facing prosecution for obtaining abortion pills for her pregnant underage daughter is due to challenge the move in a potential legal landmark for Northern Ireland’s criminalisation of abortion.

The woman will appear in a Belfast court on Tuesday to seek to overturn a decision by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland to subject her to a criminal trial and the prospect of five years in prison for supplying the pills in 2013 to her then 15-year-old daughter, who terminated the pregnancy.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/05/northern-irish-woman-abortion-pills-fights-prosecution