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07/06/2018
Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Over Legality Of Abortion Law In NI
Human rights campaigners have lost a Supreme Court appeal over the legality of the abortion law in Northern Ireland.
The appeal was brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC).
A majority of the judges declared NI's existing law "incompatible" with human rights laws.
A termination is only permitted in Northern Ireland 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.
The justices said the Supreme Court "has no jurisdiction" in the proceedings to make a declaration of incompatibility.
Amnesty International said the UK Supreme Court's ruling that Northern Ireland's abortion law is a violation of women's human rights must force the UK Government to urgently legislate for change.
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaigner, said:
"The highest court in the land has ruled that the UK is in breach of its own human rights obligations to women in Northern Ireland who are governed by this draconian law.
"This is hugely significant and makes clear there is nowhere left for the government to hide on this issue.
"All eyes are now on the UK Government. Theresa May can no longer sit back and do nothing whilst countless women continue to suffer on her watch.
"This must be the final nail in the coffin for Northern Ireland's abortion ban.
"The Prime Minister must commit to reforming abortion law immediately or be complicit in the harm and inequality caused by the existing law. A failure to act would be a cruel betrayal of women."
(CD)
The appeal was brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC).
A majority of the judges declared NI's existing law "incompatible" with human rights laws.
A termination is only permitted in Northern Ireland 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.
The justices said the Supreme Court "has no jurisdiction" in the proceedings to make a declaration of incompatibility.
Amnesty International said the UK Supreme Court's ruling that Northern Ireland's abortion law is a violation of women's human rights must force the UK Government to urgently legislate for change.
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaigner, said:
"The highest court in the land has ruled that the UK is in breach of its own human rights obligations to women in Northern Ireland who are governed by this draconian law.
"This is hugely significant and makes clear there is nowhere left for the government to hide on this issue.
"All eyes are now on the UK Government. Theresa May can no longer sit back and do nothing whilst countless women continue to suffer on her watch.
"This must be the final nail in the coffin for Northern Ireland's abortion ban.
"The Prime Minister must commit to reforming abortion law immediately or be complicit in the harm and inequality caused by the existing law. A failure to act would be a cruel betrayal of women."
(CD)
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