Abortion reform is a sad day for Northern Ireland, but to add insult to injury, NI will have more liberal laws than Great Britain

Wednesday was a deeply sad day for many reasons and across Northern Ireland.
By Nola Leach
Published 28th Mar 2020, 00:00 BST
Updated 28th Mar 2020, 10:17 BST
Nola Leach, Chief Executive, CARE in Northern Ireland, at Westminster, which has legislated for sweeping liberalisation of abortion lawNola Leach, Chief Executive, CARE in Northern Ireland, at Westminster, which has legislated for sweeping liberalisation of abortion law
Nola Leach, Chief Executive, CARE in Northern Ireland, at Westminster, which has legislated for sweeping liberalisation of abortion law

One key reason was the publication of the Northern Ireland Office’s (NIO) new legal framework for abortion services.

It means abortion will be legal up to 12 weeks for any reason and up to 24 weeks in cases of risk to mental or physical health. This essentially will mean abortion on request until 24 weeks.

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The new regulations also mean abortion on the grounds of serious disability will be available up to birth. The door has been opened to sex-selective abortion and abortion for Down’s Syndrome and cleft lip, to name just a few examples.

An overwhelming majority of those who responded to the public consultation on the new framework — 79% — expressed their opposition to any abortion provision in NI, beyond that which was permitted before the law was changed in October 2019.

Despite this eye-wateringly high level of public opposition, the NIO has not paid any attention.

There will be anger and frustration at having this new abortion framework imposed by Westminster.

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That the NIO is proposing a more liberalised law on abortion than the one currently in place in Great Britain adds insult to injury.

We know the decision not to implement the 1967 Abortion Act has led to 100,000 individuals being alive today in Northern Ireland who would otherwise not be.

Westminster should never have acted to override the devolved assembly on this issue. Elected representatives from NI have been ignored and the voices of thousands of individuals set aside.

We call on both Houses of Parliament to reject the regulations when they get the chance to debate the regulations.

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We recognise that assembly members are understandably focusing on the crisis caused by coronavirus. Whatever happens at Westminster in terms of these regulations, this issue needs to be considered at the NI Assembly.

We particularly would highlight the need for investment in centres to help new mums who face crisis pregnancies.

At CARE NI, we believe both lives matter and that the new abortion services being provision proposed will harm — not help — women and babies.

• Nola Leach is chief executive of the public policy charity CARE NI

Related topics:Northern IrelandGreat BritainNIO