A bill passed its first vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday that would prevent abortions when carrying a pregnancy to term would lead to a severely impaired child in constant pain. The Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill passed its Second Stage debate by 48 votes to 12. Northern Ireland Humanists opposes the Bill, which has been brought forward by DUP MLA Paul Givan, as it is an attempt to restrict choice for women in horrific circumstances, and access to medical care to which women have been legally entitled.
The Bill seeks to amend the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 to remove severe foetal impairment as a ground for abortion. This would mean that women who discover that there is a substantial risk that a pregnancy, if carried to term, would lead to a child who would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously in pain, or have their life substantially shortened, would not be able to terminate their pregnancy regardless of their own wishes or advice from their doctor.
Such a provision would run counter to the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women inquiry into Northern Ireland’s abortion laws, which stated that the Government must allow for abortion in cases of ‘severe fetal impairment, including [but not limited to] fatal fetal abnormality.’ Moreover, by attempting to dictate through legislation what medical conditions are severe enough, or not, to be included as a ground for abortion, the Bill not only removes the choice from women about their own healthcare but also from medical professionals who are better placed to determine the healthcare needs of their patients than politicians.
Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented: ‘Since the decriminalisation of abortion in 2020, debates about the matter should be settled. So it is a great disappointment that some MLAs are now attempting to restrict access to terminations in the most difficult of circumstances – when carrying a pregnancy to term would result in a child with a very low quality of life, in constant pain. We will oppose this Bill through the rest of its passage through Stormont.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at boyd@humanists.uk or phone 02890 029946.
Read about Humanists UK’s campaigning work on abortion.
Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by 100,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.