Stormont: Brandon Lewis exceeded powers in introducing abortion regulations

Stormont: Brandon Lewis exceeded powers in introducing abortion regulations
Legal adviser says it is doubtful legislation gives adequate protection to those opposed

April 26, 2020

The Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis exceeded his powers in introducing abortion regulations, Stormont’s chief legal adviser has said.

It is doubtful whether the legislation gives adequate European Convention on Human Rights-based protection to the rights of those opposed on religious or philosophical grounds, attorney general John Larkin QC added.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/stormont-brandon-lewis-exceeded-powers-in-introducing-abortion-regulations-1.4238324

26.04.2020

European Convention on Human Rights

911 doctors, nurses sign letter refusing to cooperate with new abortion law in Northern Ireland

911 doctors, nurses sign letter refusing to cooperate with new abortion law in Northern Ireland

By Louise Bevan
Nov 9, 2019

Since Northern Ireland formally legalized abortion, there has been a backlash from a faction of medical professionals who say they will not assist in the procedure.

Citing a violation of their Catholic beliefs, a number of doctors and nurses have signed a letter of opposition to the Northern Irish Secretary of State Julian Smith and the Secretary for the Department of Health Richard Pengelly.

Continued: https://www.theepochtimes.com/911-doctors-nurses-sign-letter-refusing-to-cooperate-with-new-abortion-law-in-northern-ireland_3128734.html

Abortion: Public consulted on new Northern Ireland laws

Abortion: Public consulted on new Northern Ireland laws

By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI Political Reporter
4 November 2019

A public consultation about a new legal framework on abortion services in Northern Ireland has been opened.

It follows the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland last month after MPs passed a law in Parliament.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-50295241

04.11.2019

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Abortion to be decriminalised in Northern Ireland

Abortion to be decriminalised in Northern Ireland
Much to the chagrin of the DUP, Northern Ireland will be brought into regulatory alignment with the rest of the UK.

Oct 21, 2019

Women in Northern Ireland will have a legal right to safe abortions from midnight local time (23:00 GMT) on Monday, after a last-ditch bid to maintain the illegality of terminations fell apart in the regional legislature.

MPs at Westminster successfully amended a bill in the summer to include measures to end the near-blanket prohibition on abortion and introduce same-sex marriage, bringing Northern Ireland into regulatory alignment with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Continued: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/abortion-decriminalised-northern-ireland-191021163130462.html

Abortion: NI politicians’ bid to halt law changes fails

Abortion: NI politicians' bid to halt law changes fails

Oct 21, 2019

A last ditch attempt at the Stormont assembly to stop abortion law changes in Northern Ireland has failed, with the law set to change at midnight.

Unionist parties, who oppose the upcoming liberalisation, triggered the assembly's recall with a petition.

But politicians were told the assembly could not do any business until a speaker was elected with cross-community backing.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-50115449

N. Ireland – Abortion rights used to get DUP to back Brexit deal, says Stella Creasy

Abortion rights used to get DUP to back Brexit deal, says Stella Creasy
Labour MP accuses government of willingness to let Stormont be in control of abortion laws

Kate Proctor and Heather Stewart
Wed 16 Oct 2019

Labour MP Stella Creasy has accused the government of preparing to hand back control of abortion rights to Stormont to help curry favour with the DUP at a critical moment in the Brexit talks.

Creasy led a successful push in the Commons earlier this year to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland – the only part of the UK where it remains illegal except in a very narrow set of circumstances. MPs amended the Northern Ireland (executive formation) bill, to say that the government in Westminster would be required to extend the right to abortion if the Northern Ireland assembly and executive at Stormont are not up and running by 21 October.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/16/abortion-rights-used-to-get-dup-to-back-brexit-deal-says-stella-creasy

Northern Ireland – Abortion: NIO to launch campaign on abortion law

Abortion: NIO to launch campaign on abortion law

By Mark Devenport, BBC News NI Political Editor
1 October 2019

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is planning to launch an awareness campaign related to the likely change in the law on abortion.

NI law will change if the power-sharing executive at Stormont is not restored by 21 October.

The awareness campaign is expected to launch early next month.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-49883771