Host Of Famous Faces Call For Change In NI's Abortion Law

More than 60 famous women have signed an open letter that calls for Prime Minister Theresa May to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland.

It comes as the region's strict rules will come under the spotlight again on Friday 23 November, when a Private Member's Bill on the issue will have its second reading.

A number of the UK's best-known female celebrities, including Claire Foy, Claudia Winkleman, Kate Beckinsale and Emma Thompson joined Amnesty International in urging Mrs May to "do the right thing" and "champion reproductive freedom, women's rights and healthcare".

"We're counting on you and your government to stand with women and decriminalise abortion. Give us choice and control over our own bodies," the letter reads.

"Show women from Northern Ireland that you won't stand for them being governed by one of the harshest and cruellest abortion laws in the world. Show us that you value the rights of all women, no matter which part of the UK they're from."

Abortion is currently illegal in Northern Ireland with only the most extreme cases being an exception. On average, 28 women travel to England each week for a termination.

The stars welcomed the Government's policy of free abortion services in England for women from the region, but said that option requires a "traumatic journey" to have the procedure alone and away from home.

"No woman takes the decision to have an abortion lightly. It's a difficult thing for anyone to have to go through. The least we can do is create a country where women can access the service safely in a place close to home, without the threat of a prison sentence.

"Ireland recently voted overwhelmingly to relax their restrictive abortion law. Now it's time for the women of Northern Ireland. They cannot be left behind."

Labour MP Diana Johnson forwarded the decriminalisation Bill and said the situation in Northern Ireland is "grave" and in need of urgent attention.





(JG/CM)