Abortion law change will need sisters to do it for themselves Political opposition to abortion changes in North doesn’t reflect polls
irishtimes.com, Feb 5, 2015 by Eamonn McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell, SDLP. ‘Asked about pregnancy as a result of rape, McDonnell replied: “I know a number of people who are very good normal people…who were conceived as a result of what might be termed a crime”.’ Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker
In the High Court in Belfast on Monday the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was given leave to apply for a judicial review of the operation of abortion law.
The commission wants a declaration that women have a right to abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormality or of rape or incest. A formal hearing has been set for June.
The commission intervened following the ending last month of a Northern Ireland Department of Justice consultation on proposed changes to abortion law.
The consultation recommended legalisation on the grounds of fatal foetal abnormality, but didn’t suggest change with regard to rape or incest.
It is not certain that even the recommendation in relation to foetuses with no prospect of independent life will result in action at the Assembly.
DUP and SDLP leaders have spelled out their view that a woman carrying a foetus with a fatal condition should continue to be required by law to carry the pregnancy to full term, whether or not this is what she wants and irrespective of the implications for her mental or physical health.
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