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Since the 8th Amendment was repealed activists in the North have been leading a campaign, #NowForNI, to help those women currently oppressed and left behind by the region’s draconian abortion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