Abortion law change: Is Northern Ireland really next?

Abortion law change: Is Northern Ireland really next?
Pro-choice activists in the North hope a string of court cases will advance their cause

Sat, Jan 12, 2019
Susan McKay

On the 29th of this month, Sarah Ewart will appear before the High court in Belfast to present her case that women in Northern Ireland should have access to rights enjoyed by women in all other parts of the United Kingdom.

Ewart is bracing herself – this appearance, while demanding, will be infinitely less agonising than other ordeals she has been through. Five years ago, aged 23, the Belfast woman travelled to an abortion clinic in England to terminate a much wanted pregnancy that was otherwise going to end with the birth of a baby with a foetal abnormality.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/abortion-law-change-is-northern-ireland-really-next-1.3753579

Fresh legal challenge lodged against abortion laws in Northern Ireland

Fresh legal challenge lodged against abortion laws in Northern Ireland

Monday, October 01, 2018

A fresh legal challenge against Northern Ireland’s restrictive abortion laws has been mounted.

Sarah Ewart is applying for a judicial review, seeking a declaration of incompatibility with human rights law in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.

Five years ago, Ms Ewart travelled from Northern Ireland for a termination in England after a 20-week scan revealed her baby had anencephaly, which meant its brain and skull had not developed and it would either die before being born or shortly afterwards.

Continued: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/fresh-legal-challenge-lodged-against-abortion-laws-in-northern-ireland-872700.html

The only Northern Irish woman with a choice about abortion? Arlene Foster

The only Northern Irish woman with a choice about abortion? Arlene Foster
In Northern Ireland a rape victim seeking to end a pregnancy risks a longer sentence than her attacker. This has to change

Stella Creasy
Tue 29 May 2018

The jubilation at the result of the referendum on abortion in Ireland quickly gave way to rage as focus turned to Northern Ireland, where women are treated as second-class citizens when it comes to their reproductive rights.

Abortion is only legal in that part of the UK if the mother’s life is at immediate risk – as the law stands, a victim of rape who sought to end an unwanted pregnancy would risk a longer prison sentence than her attacker. Women whose babies will not live outside the womb are forced to carry them to term.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/29/northern-ireland-abortion-choice-arlene-foster-dup-rape-pregnancy

N. Ireland – Change to North’s abortion laws recommended by working group

Change to North’s abortion laws recommended by working group
Report supports alowing terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormality

April 25, 2018
Amanda Ferguson

A justice and health working group has recommended a change to Northern Ireland’s abortion laws to allow terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

A report, published on Wednesday following a Freedom of Information request, was commissioned in 2016 by the then Stormont health and justice ministers, with a view to informing Executive policy deliberations.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/change-to-north-s-abortion-laws-recommended-by-working-group-1.3473879