Abortion referendum: pro-choice campaigners lead calls for Savita's Law

Pro-choice campaigners have backed calls for Ireland's new abortion laws to be named after a tragic expectant mother who died after being refused a termination.
A supporter holds a photo of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin Castle as campaigners celebrate the repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish ConstitutionA supporter holds a photo of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin Castle as campaigners celebrate the repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution
A supporter holds a photo of Savita Halappanavar in Dublin Castle as campaigners celebrate the repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution

The Together for Yes coalition said the gesture would recognise the “great debt” the Irish people owed to Savita Halappanavar, the 31-year-old Indian dentist who died in a Galway hospital after doctors refused to perform an abortion as she miscarried.

They supported a call from Mrs Halappanvar’s father Andanappa Yalagi for the abortion reforms to be named Savita’s Law as they urged the government to expedite legislation in the wake of the landslide referendum vote to end the state’s near blanket ban.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Together for Yes said the government should reconsider its proposed end of year schedule for passing the legislation and called for a special summer sitting of the Dail and Seanad to ensure new laws were brought in as soon as possible.

Mrs Halappanvar’s death in 2012 has become emblematic for advocates of abortion reform in Ireland.

As people continued to lay flowers and messages at an impromptu shrine to her in south Dublin yesterday, Together for Yes co-director Grainne Griffin said the coalition would support new legislation being called Savita’s Law.

“In terms of Savita and her family I think our country owes them a great debt and we were so honoured and so touched by the support that they lent to the campaign over the course of it,” she said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I was really glad to see her father say that yesterday they felt they had justice for their daughter.”

Those campaigning for liberalisation secured a stunning victory on Saturday, after it was confirmed that 66.4% of voters in Friday’s referendum backed repeal of the controversial Eighth Amendment of the constitution, which bans abortion in all but exceptional circumstances.

Ireland’s health minister Simon Harris will seek cabinet backing tomorrow to draft legislation that would allow abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, subject to medical advice and a cooling-off period, and up to 24 weeks in exceptional circumstances.

He has indicated the new legal framework will be drafted over the summer and is set to be tabled in the Dublin parliament in the autumn, with aim for the legislation to be passed by the end of the year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Together for Yes co-director Orla O’Connor urged a more ambitious timescale.

Opposition parties Sinn Fein and Labour have called on the government to aim to pass the law before the Irish parliament’s summer recess.

“I certainly think that all of our TDs and senators should really consider a special sitting so that it can be progressed through the summer,” said Ms O’Connor.

Related topics: