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11/10/2012
NI Clinic To Offer Abortions
Next week will see the opening of the first ever private clinic to offer abortions in Northern Ireland.
The service will be operating from the centre of Belfast from 18 October and will be run by Marie Stopes.
Under Northern Irish law, abortions are not completely illegal, but are heavily controlled. They may only be carried out in cases where a pregnancy risks the health or life of a woman.
The termination must be approved by a GP following mental and physical examinations, before nine weeks of gestation.
Marie Stopes, which is a UK based provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services, says it will still be operating within current legislation.
Darinka Aleksic of the Abortion Rights group said women in Northern Ireland were "treated like second-class citizens when it comes to abortion".
"Over 50,000 women have had to make this journey over the past 40 years and it is an injustice that must not be allowed to continue."
But she added: "The opening of this centre will not solve all these problems and the fight for Northern Irish women to have the same rights as women in England, Scotland and Wales has a long way to go. But this is a real step forward."
In England, Wales and Scotland, a 24-week gestation period is allowed, but abortions are still only allowed under similar conditions to those imposed in Northern Ireland.
An anti-abortion group has called for the centre to be shut down.
Bernie Smyth of the pro-life group Precious Life told the BBC she and the group’s members want the centre to be shut down.
Figures for 2011 show that just over 1,000 Northern Irish women travelled to England and Wales for terminations.
(IT)
The service will be operating from the centre of Belfast from 18 October and will be run by Marie Stopes.
Under Northern Irish law, abortions are not completely illegal, but are heavily controlled. They may only be carried out in cases where a pregnancy risks the health or life of a woman.
The termination must be approved by a GP following mental and physical examinations, before nine weeks of gestation.
Marie Stopes, which is a UK based provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services, says it will still be operating within current legislation.
Darinka Aleksic of the Abortion Rights group said women in Northern Ireland were "treated like second-class citizens when it comes to abortion".
"Over 50,000 women have had to make this journey over the past 40 years and it is an injustice that must not be allowed to continue."
But she added: "The opening of this centre will not solve all these problems and the fight for Northern Irish women to have the same rights as women in England, Scotland and Wales has a long way to go. But this is a real step forward."
In England, Wales and Scotland, a 24-week gestation period is allowed, but abortions are still only allowed under similar conditions to those imposed in Northern Ireland.
An anti-abortion group has called for the centre to be shut down.
Bernie Smyth of the pro-life group Precious Life told the BBC she and the group’s members want the centre to be shut down.
Figures for 2011 show that just over 1,000 Northern Irish women travelled to England and Wales for terminations.
(IT)
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29 June 2017
Govt To Fund Abortions For NI Women
The Government has agreed to fund abortions in England for women travelling from Northern Ireland, the Chancellor announced. Abortions can only be carried out in NI where the life or mental health is the mother is in danger. Philip Hammond made the announcement in the House of Commons after Labour proposed an amendment to the Queen's Speech.
Govt To Fund Abortions For NI Women
The Government has agreed to fund abortions in England for women travelling from Northern Ireland, the Chancellor announced. Abortions can only be carried out in NI where the life or mental health is the mother is in danger. Philip Hammond made the announcement in the House of Commons after Labour proposed an amendment to the Queen's Speech.
14 December 2015
Almost 25,000 Women Travel To England And Wales For Abortion
Almost 25,000 women from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) travelled to England and Wales to have an abortion over the last five years, new data has revealed. The new figures were obtained by Detail Data from the Department of Health in London.
Almost 25,000 Women Travel To England And Wales For Abortion
Almost 25,000 women from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) travelled to England and Wales to have an abortion over the last five years, new data has revealed. The new figures were obtained by Detail Data from the Department of Health in London.
15 November 2018
NI Women Will Soon Be Able To Access Abortions In Ireland
The Irish Health Minister has confirmed that new legislation is being introduced to allow women from Northern Ireland to access abortion services in the Republic of Ireland. Simon Harris said he believed his government had a responsibility to provide the service. Abortion is currently illegal in Northern Ireland in all but the most extreme cases.
NI Women Will Soon Be Able To Access Abortions In Ireland
The Irish Health Minister has confirmed that new legislation is being introduced to allow women from Northern Ireland to access abortion services in the Republic of Ireland. Simon Harris said he believed his government had a responsibility to provide the service. Abortion is currently illegal in Northern Ireland in all but the most extreme cases.
15 January 2014
NI Abortion Numbers Increase
The number of abortions carried out in Northern Ireland increased over the period 2012/13, according to the Department of Health. There were 51 terminations of pregnancy in Northern Ireland during 2012/13, indicating an increase of 16 on the 2011/12 year and a decrease of six on the 2006/07 year.
NI Abortion Numbers Increase
The number of abortions carried out in Northern Ireland increased over the period 2012/13, according to the Department of Health. There were 51 terminations of pregnancy in Northern Ireland during 2012/13, indicating an increase of 16 on the 2011/12 year and a decrease of six on the 2006/07 year.
07 July 2003
Courts turn down request for clarity on abortion
A request by the Family Planning Association (FPA) for clarification on abortion law in Northern Ireland has been turned down by the courts.
Courts turn down request for clarity on abortion
A request by the Family Planning Association (FPA) for clarification on abortion law in Northern Ireland has been turned down by the courts.
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