The Northern Ireland Executive has released Guidance for Health and Social Care Professionals on the Termination of Pregnancy in Northern Ireland. These guidelines do not take into consideration the recent ruling by the High Court that Northern Ireland abortion laws are in breach of human rights. Northern Ireland Humanists has criticised this omission and written to the Northern Ireland Executive asking for new, correct guidance to be issued immediately.
In November the High Court ruled that Northern Ireland abortion laws are in breach of article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Currently in Northern Ireland terminations can only be carried out if a woman’s life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health, but the Court ruled that abortion must also be legal in the cases of rape, incest and fatal foetal abnormality, and that the Assembly must change the law reflect this. As a consequence last month saw a debate take place in Stormont around amending the current abortion laws.But both amendments were voted against by MLAs.
Studies have shown that around 70% of the population in Northern Ireland believe amendments are needed to be made to the current abortion laws. This indicates how out of touch MLAs have become with their constituents.
Northern Ireland Humanists supports the full legalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, and the #trustwomen Campaign organised by Alliance for Choice . In response to the guidance, Alliance for Choice Chairperson Kellie O’Dowd said, ‘These guidelines do not take into consideration Justice Horner’s ruling, are not human rights compliant and offer no clarity for women who need to access abortion services in Northern Ireland. This is another dark day for women.’
Boyd Sleator from Northern Ireland Humanists said, ‘We are extremely disappointed at this missed opportunity to clarify the law. We will continue to work with Alliance for Choice and do what we can to help keep this issue alive in the mind of the public.
‘We urge those of like mind to write to their local MLAs asking them to support the #trustwomen campaign, will also be working directly with the Assembly to secure a change the law to reflect the ruling, and will continue to push for wider changes as well.’
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For further comment or information contact Boyd Sleator, Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator, at boyd.sleator@humanists.uk or on 07470 395090.
Read the guidance: https://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dhssps/guidance-termination-pregnancy.pdf
The BHA defend the right for women to gain access to safe abortion with appropriate secular counselling and after-care and support liberalisation of the abortion laws, which would include: permitting women from Northern Ireland the same rights to free abortions on the NHS in Great Britain as women in England, Wales and Scotland enjoy; and measures to make access to safe, early abortions easier.
Read more about the BHA’s position on sexual health and reproductive rights: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/sexual-and-reproductive-rights/
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethically and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.