N.Ireland – Early abortion service ends in Northern Health trust

Access to abortion services will end in the Northern trust from this Monday

Seanín Graham
03 October, 2020

ABORTION services in one of Northern Ireland's biggest health trusts will stop this Monday due to limited resources.

In a statement to The Irish News, the Northern health trust confirmed access to its Early Medical Abortion (EMA) provision will cease, six months after it was first introduced.

Continued: https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/10/03/news/early-abortion-service-ends-in-northern-health-trust-2086253/


New abortion laws for Northern Ireland comes into force

New abortion laws for Northern Ireland comes into force
The new regulations will allow terminations in Northern Ireland for the first 12 weeks

By Shaun Keenan
31 MAR 2020

Newly published regulations on abortion services in Northern Ireland will come into force on Tuesday. MPs in Westminster passed the changes to abortion last year in the absence of a power sharing assembly at Stormont.

The new regulations will allow terminations in Northern Ireland on request for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 24 weeks in cases of a risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or girl.

Continued: https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/new-abortion-laws-northern-ireland-18011806


Northern Ireland prepares for momentous abortion, same-sex marriage changes

Northern Ireland prepares for momentous abortion, same-sex marriage changes

Amanda Ferguson, Reuters
October 21, 2019

BELFAST — Campaigners who fought for decades to end Northern Ireland’s same sex-marriage ban and restrictions on abortion prepare on Monday for a momentous change to the laws on both at the stroke of midnight.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that does not allow same-sex marriage. Also, unlike England, Scotland and Wales, laws in Northern Ireland forbid abortion except where a mother’s life is at risk, bans that have been upheld by the region’s block of conservative politicians.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/northern-ireland-prepares-for-momentous-abortion-same-sex-marriage-changes


Northern Ireland faces decriminalization of abortion

Northern Ireland faces decriminalization of abortion
The UK region's strict abortion law is set to change after politicians in London stepped in to legislate to end decades of discrimination against British and Irish women there. The legislation dates back to 1861.

Date 20.10.2019
Author Amanda Ferguson (Belfast)

Northern Ireland's abortion legislation is some of the most restrictive in the world and come from the Victorian-era of history. Pro-choice campaigners have for decades pursued legal challenges for them to be changed to respect women's human rights.

The 1967 Abortion Act in Britain, allowing for abortion up to 24 weeks in the rest of the United Kingdom, was never extended to Northern Ireland.

Continued: https://www.dw.com/en/northern-ireland-faces-decriminalization-of-abortion/a-50890268


N. Ireland – Stormont to be recalled after abortion petition

Stormont to be recalled after abortion petition

17 October 2019

Assembly members are set to return to the Stormont chamber for the first time in nearly three years after 31 members signed a petition triggering a recall.

The move was proposed in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of Northern Ireland's abortion law.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-50088406


Twice as many care about NI abortion law changes than Irish language act: Poll

Twice as many care about NI abortion law changes than Irish language act: Poll

Published: Monday 14 October 2019

Almost twice as many people in Northern Ireland are more concerned about changes to abortion laws than an Irish language act, a survey has suggested.

The poll, commissioned by anti-abortion campaign group Both Lives Matter, found that 49% of those asked identified the need to safeguard legal protections for the unborn child, up to 28 weeks into pregnancy, as the most compelling reason for Stormont to be restored.

Continued: https://www.newsletter.co.uk/health/twice-as-many-care-about-ni-abortion-law-changes-than-irish-language-act-poll-1-9104897


N. Ireland – Rally held in protest against abortion law changes

Rally held in protest against abortion law changes
It was described as a ‘sombre occasion’.

By Aoife Moore, PA
October 13 2019

A rally in protest of possible upcoming abortion law changes has been held in Belfast.

The gathering, organised by anti-abortion group Both Lives matter was described by organisers as “a cross-community, inter-generational, and peaceful” event, was held to demonstrate opposition to Westminster’s soon to be imposed abortion law changes in Northern Ireland.

A law tabled by Labour MP Stella Creasy, changing the current legislation on abortion and marriage equality will be implemented in Northern Ireland on October 21 if the main Stormont parties cannot resolve the outstanding deadlock in the Assembly.

Continued: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/rally-held-in-protest-against-abortion-law-changes-38589709.html


Marie Stopes: NI’s first private abortion clinic ‘not re-opening’

Marie Stopes: NI's first private abortion clinic 'not re-opening'

By Marie-Louise Connolly, BBC News NI Health Correspondent
9 September 2019

Marie Stopes UK has said it has no plans to resume providing services in Northern Ireland despite anticipated changes in rules around abortion.

The clinic opened in Belfast in 2012, offering medical abortions in early pregnancy.

It closed in December 2017 after the government announced women could access NHS-funded terminations in England.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-49629205


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


Abortion: NI women to be provided access to Republic services

Abortion: NI women to be provided access to Republic services

By Marie-Louise Connolly, BBC News NI Health Correspondent
Nov 15, 2018

Women and girls from Northern Ireland will be able to access abortion services in the Republic of Ireland next year.

The Irish health minister made the commitment on Thursday morning.

Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland unless there is a serious risk to a woman's life or health.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46220463