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15th April 2020

Precious Life pledge to ‘work harder than ever to save lives’ as ‘Informing Choices NI’ announce ‘central access point’ to dangerous abortion pills in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s leading pro-life group Precious Life have today pledged to ‘work harder than ever to save lives’ as abortion agency ‘Informing Choices NI’ launched what it termed ‘a central access point to offer a pathway to local abortion services’ in Northern Ireland.

Bernadette Smyth, Director of Precious Life, who are based in Belfast, said:

“The news that this horrific abortion pill is set to become available is devastating for unborn children and their mothers.”

She continued, “In response to the coronavirus crisis, instead of directing the focus towards saving lives, this so-called ‘charity’ has capitalised on the fear and crisis of abortion-vulnerable women to introduce the killing of their unborn children.

"This is about making money, and about pushing a radical abortion agenda at a time of crisis.”

Ms Smyth also criticised Informing Choices for claiming to ‘stand by’ women and girls in Northern Ireland.

She said, “Informing Choices NI have stated that they “stand by women and girls and all pregnancy choices.” Precious Life, on behalf of the tens of thousands of people in Northern Ireland who stood against the imposition of this abortion law, would like to remind them that standing by a woman does not involve the killing of her unborn baby.

“Standing by a woman or girl is offering her real, life-affirming and positive support to empower her to protect both herself and her unborn child. Nothing is made better by the deliberate killing of a child, at any stage of development. Abortion is not a pregnancy ‘choice’ – it is the killing of an innocent human being who has a right to life, and deserves the same rights as his or her mother.

“Standing by a woman or girl in a crisis pregnancy never involves the killing of her child; it involves offering her practical, financial or emotional support and assistance. We will respond to this harrowing news by continuing to do just that for the women and girls of Northern Ireland.”

Ms Smyth also highlighted the serious dangers of the early abortion pill, stating: “Since 2001, at least 24 women worldwide have died from fatal complications including haemorrhaging, organ failure, sepsis, toxic shock, and ruptured ectopic pregnancy following an early abortion with these deadly drugs. Abortion-vulnerable women in Northern Ireland deserve to be fully informed about the dangers of these drugs, and they deserve real help and support. Abortion is never the answer.”
Ms Smyth said that despite the change to Northern Ireland’s long-standing pro-life laws, Precious Life are determined to keep working to be a voice for the voiceless.

"Our pro-life laws, which safeguarded women and their children from the death and destruction of abortion, are no longer in place. But our fight to save innocent and defenceless unborn children from abortion will only accelerate. We are determined, equipped and ready to work harder than ever to save lives in Northern Ireland. We will be increasing our campaigns, as well as the practical help, support and outreach we offer.”

She concluded by calling on Stormont to put in place alternative support services for women experiencing unintended pregnancies.

“Precious Life are calling on the Stormont Government to put in place better services for women with unintended pregnancies. We need support services that offer practical, caring solutions which uphold the dignity of both mother and child.”

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