Landmark Abortion Ruling Welcomed

Politicians have united to pay tribute to Sarah Ewart after her case prompted Belfast's High Court to determine Northern Ireland's abortion laws as a breach of international human rights.

The Belfast woman took the case after being refused an abortion in Northern Ireland when her unborn baby was diagnosed with a fatal foetal abnormality.

Sarah Ewart deserves to be commended for her "courage and conviction", the Alliance Party has said.

Mrs Justice Keegan also highlighted the case as a breach in the prohibition on terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormality (FFA).

Following Parliament's approval of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act in July, abortion will be decriminalised and made lawful, including in cases of risk to health, unless the Stormont executive is restored by 21 October.

Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Stephen Farry welcomed the High Court decision, but expressed regret at Ms Ewart's ordeal.

"The weight of public opinion here shows the law needs a fundamental change," Ms Bradshaw said.

Mr Farry added: "This is welcome news but it is a shame the Assembly didn't address this when it had the chance, despite the efforts of some MLAs. Today's ruling reinforces the basis for Westminster legislating in the absence of a functioning Assembly, reflecting fundamental issues around rights and equality."

Sinn Fein said Ms Ewart should never had had to spend six years fighting her case and called for more protections for women in similar situations under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement.

Michelle O'Neill commented: "Sarah has taken a very tragic time in her life and used her experience to try to ensure no woman has to go through the same experience as she did.

"There is now an urgent need for reform of the legislation to provide the option of abortion where a woman's life, health or mental health is at risk and in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and without specific indication for a limited gestational period so that cases of sexual crime can be dealt with in a compassionate manner.

"Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement it is the responsibility of the two governments, under the auspices of the British/Irish Intergovernmental Conference, to deliver equality and those rights that are routinely available everywhere else on these islands."

Green Party leader Clare Bailey added her voice to the tributes and said she looks forward to the process of decriminalisation of abortion following "a long and traumatic road for women".

"I would like to pay tribute to Sarah Ewart for her bravery in taking this action," Ms Bailey said. "I hope that no other woman has to force the government to live up to their human rights obligation in the same way ever again.

"I look forward to the process of abortion decriminalisation beginning on 21 October and the implementation of necessary healthcare provision for women at the soonest point possible.

"It has been a long and traumatic road for women and pregnant people here in Northern Ireland.

"Finally though, we have a chance to create a better future and redress this long standing denial of rights."



(JG/CM)