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SPUC welcomes FPA admission that Northern Ireland abortion law is clear
Belfast, 26 May 2004 - SPUC Northern Ireland welcomed the admission by FPA (the Family Planning Association) that the law on abortion in Northern Ireland is clear. The admission was made during appeal proceedings in the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal this week. FPA Northern Ireland acknowledged that the law prohibits freely
available abortion as practised in Britain, permitting it only in
serious medical cases. This represented a reversal of the strategy used
for many years by some of the leading pro-abortion campaigners in
Northern Ireland.
Commenting on the FPA's submissions, Liam Gibson, SPUC
Northern Ireland Development Officer, said: "Surprisingly, the FPA
acknowledged the right to life of the unborn child and said that the
state not only had a duty to protect the health of women, but unborn
children also have human rights. FPA also conceded the critical issue
that aborting babies because of their disabilities is unlawful in
Northern Ireland."
SPUC, which is an intervener in the legal proceedings, warned
that the comments reflected the FPA's anxiety to salvage some advantage
from its litigation, and did not represent any support for pro-life
values.
It was also revealed at the hearings that the Department of
Health, Social Services and Public Safety has already drafted
guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland.
SPUC has demanded that, if any guidance is issued by the
department, it must make clear that illegal abortion will not be
tolerated.
The hearing continues today.
