Pro-life groups split over DUP plan to restrict disability abortions as bill gets first reading in Assembly

Critics of the bill argue it will still allow abortions for any reason up to 12 weeks, up to 24 weeks where there is a risk to a woman’s health and up until birth in cases of ‘fatal foetal abnomalities’.

But supporters of the bill argue that it will prevent abortions after 24 weeks in cases where conditions such as Down’s Syndrom, cleft palate or club foot are detected.

Up until 2019 abortion was only lawful in NI where there was a serious risk to a woman’s health. However as Stormont was collapsed at the time, MPs at Westminster moved to liberalise the law in NI.

In the wake of the law change there were 1,091 abortions in NI from March 2020 to February this year, whereas previously the annual figures were exceptionally low.

Mr Givan’s proposal has been backed by several people personally affected by Down’s syndrome. Backers also argue that while it falls far short of restoring NI’s previous legislative position, it represents a realistic achievement which has viable political support.

However two pro-life groups came out against the DUP proposal, arguing that it would make a neglible difference while legitimising the current legislation.

The Pro-life group Centre for Bioethical Reform, said: “While this [proposal] sounds good simple statistics show that these abortions account for 0.007% of all abortions in England and Wales. The bill achieves nothing positive.

“There are, however, significant downfalls with the bill. In effect the DUP will be legislating to approve 99.997% percent of abortions.”

The Society for Protection of the Unborn Child NI Development Office Philip Lynn, said Mr Givan’s Bill seeks to prohibit abortions after 24 weeks unless the child is diagnosed with a terminal condition.

“Such a change would be merely symbolic,” he said. “But despite being statistically insignificant, it would lend democratic legitimacy to the 99.993% of abortions which would fall outside the scope of the Bill.”

However the newly elected Presbyterian Moderator Rev Dr David Bruce welcomed the bill.

“There are many aspects of the current legislation we find morally wrong and unjustifiable and we welcome Mr Givan’s Bill, as it seeks to provide protection for children where there is a diagnosis of non-fatal disability before birth.”

Faith-based public affairs charity CARE also gave strong backing to Mr Givan’s bill.

“Our view at CARE NI is that we need life-affirming laws that uphold the value of women and babies and Paul Givan’s new Bill is an important first step in achieving this,” a spokesman said.

However Dawn McAvoy of campaign group Both Lives Matter took a slightly different stance yesterday, both backing the DUP proposals, while hoping for more change later. “If someone brings a Bill seeking to end all abortion, then we will support that,” she said. “In the meantime we will support any steps taken that reduce the number of abortions taking place in NI.”

Meanwhile, the Press Association has reported that the bill had its first reading in the Assembly today.

Raising a point of order after the Bill was introduced, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said the Assembly faces an “unusual situation” because Mr Givan had only formally alerted members to the contents of the Bill less than 30 minutes before it was introduced.

Ms Bradshaw asked for assurances that MLAs would receive written evidence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the Bill before members were asked to scrutinise it.Speaker Alex Maskey said there was “nothing unusual with the procedure”, highlighting that items of Assembly business are often tabled at short notice.Mr Maskey said the commission would have the opportunity to submit its own evidence on the Bill.“This Bill has now had the first stage tabled here this morning. The Bill will be printed and it will go through the normal process through the business committee as an ongoing process by which legislation is always proceeded,” he said.“I will ensure that the legislation will be governed and processed and managed properly in my role as Speaker.”

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