Menu
03/07/2018
Prime Minister Accused Of 'Failing Women' In NI
The UK Prime Minister Theresa May has been accused of "failing women" amid calls to gives MPs the opportunity to liberalise Northern Ireland's abortion laws.
Mrs May has faced increasing pressure in Westminster to intervene and take action on NI's restrictive abortion laws, which remain different to legislation across the rest of the UK.
Making the call, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Tony Lloyd accused Mrs May of "failing women with every day of inaction".
Mr Lloyd said: "An immediate action the Prime Minister should take is to meet with all Northern Ireland political parties and agree legislation on this issue, and then bring this to the House of Commons as a matter of urgency.
"Abortion must be decriminalised and a human rights compliant framework for access put in place. Nothing else will suffice.
"We must listen to women and the organisations working with them on the need for change and then fulfil our duty to deliver this."
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International's campaigns manager for Northern Ireland, said: "Nothing but an apparent lack of will is preventing Theresa May from doing this.
"It's hugely insulting and negligent to women to continue to hide behind devolution as justification for the denial of healthcare that women in the rest of the UK can take for granted.
"It is time the Prime Minister listened to women's experiences and witnessed the harsh reality of a near total ban on abortion."
Women affected by NI's current abortion laws are due to appear in the Commons today, Tuesday 03 July, to meet with MPs on the issue.
(MH/LM)
Mrs May has faced increasing pressure in Westminster to intervene and take action on NI's restrictive abortion laws, which remain different to legislation across the rest of the UK.
Making the call, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Tony Lloyd accused Mrs May of "failing women with every day of inaction".
Mr Lloyd said: "An immediate action the Prime Minister should take is to meet with all Northern Ireland political parties and agree legislation on this issue, and then bring this to the House of Commons as a matter of urgency.
"Abortion must be decriminalised and a human rights compliant framework for access put in place. Nothing else will suffice.
"We must listen to women and the organisations working with them on the need for change and then fulfil our duty to deliver this."
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International's campaigns manager for Northern Ireland, said: "Nothing but an apparent lack of will is preventing Theresa May from doing this.
"It's hugely insulting and negligent to women to continue to hide behind devolution as justification for the denial of healthcare that women in the rest of the UK can take for granted.
"It is time the Prime Minister listened to women's experiences and witnessed the harsh reality of a near total ban on abortion."
Women affected by NI's current abortion laws are due to appear in the Commons today, Tuesday 03 July, to meet with MPs on the issue.
(MH/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 August 2018
NI Women To Access Abortion Services In Ireland
The Irish Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has made a commitment to allow Northern Irish women to access abortion services in Ireland. Minister Harris made the commitment during his appearance at Feile an Phobail in Belfast. Abortion was legalised in Britain in 1967, but remains illegal in Northern Ireland.
NI Women To Access Abortion Services In Ireland
The Irish Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has made a commitment to allow Northern Irish women to access abortion services in Ireland. Minister Harris made the commitment during his appearance at Feile an Phobail in Belfast. Abortion was legalised in Britain in 1967, but remains illegal in Northern Ireland.
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.
08 October 2019
Abortion Law: Guidance Published For Healthcare Professionals
The Government has published guidelines for medical professionals in Northern Ireland ahead of potential abortion law reforms. Legislation passed in July obliged the UK Government to relax the strict local abortion laws if power sharing at Stormont is not restored by 21 October.
Abortion Law: Guidance Published For Healthcare Professionals
The Government has published guidelines for medical professionals in Northern Ireland ahead of potential abortion law reforms. Legislation passed in July obliged the UK Government to relax the strict local abortion laws if power sharing at Stormont is not restored by 21 October.
06 December 2017
Marie Stopes To Close Its Clinic In Belfast
Marie Stopes has confirmed it is to close its clinic in Belfast later this week. The organisation said the move follows the government's decision to fund abortion services for women in Northern Ireland in England.
Marie Stopes To Close Its Clinic In Belfast
Marie Stopes has confirmed it is to close its clinic in Belfast later this week. The organisation said the move follows the government's decision to fund abortion services for women in Northern Ireland in England.
19 May 2022
UK Govt To Ensure Abortion Services Are Commissioned In NI
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, will today (Thursday 19 May) take further legislative steps to ensure abortion services are commissioned for women and girls in Northern Ireland.
UK Govt To Ensure Abortion Services Are Commissioned In NI
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, will today (Thursday 19 May) take further legislative steps to ensure abortion services are commissioned for women and girls in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
