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--- PRESS RELEASE ---

1st June 2020

Precious Life say NI Assembly Must Repeal Section 9 ahead of Stormont debate tomorrow

Northern Ireland's leading pro-life organisation Precious Life have said that the NI Assembly must repeal section 9 to ensure that every child is protected from abortion in Northern Ireland.

The organisation's comments come ahead of the NI Assembly's debate on a DUP motion on abortion which will take place tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd June). The motion is part of the DUP's effort to challenge Northern Ireland's abortion law, and includes proposing a ban on disability-selective abortion.

Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth welcomed the motion but stressed that the repeal of section 9 must be prioritised by politicians to ensure protection for all unborn children.

"Precious Life welcome this motion from the DUP. We are encouraged and welcome any constructive effort to protect human life, especially from Northern Ireland's politicians, who have the power to repeal this extreme and cruel legislation."

Ms Smyth continued, "The results of the NIO's public consultation on abortion law were conclusive: 79 percent of people in Northern Ireland oppose any form of abortion being legalised here. The NI electorate want to protect all children from abortion, and the will of the people must be recognised and fully embodied in the efforts to challenge this law from our elected representatives."

"We are welcoming this intervention because it is evidence that our politicians are starting to respond to public pressure which is mounting in opposition to this abortion regime," she said.

"This motion, although it will not change the law, will shine a spotlight on what this law allows: abortion up to birth, for a range of reasons, including disability. We cannot emphasise enough that this is one of the most extreme, permissive and inhumane abortion laws in Europe which has been imposed against the democratic process and against the principles of devolution."

Ms Smyth concluded, "Precious Life are calling on pro-life people in Northern Ireland to use this vital opportunity to contact their MLAs and urge them to work towards the full repeal of this law. We would encourage people to send a clear message that every life counts, and that every unborn baby, by virtue of their humanity, must be protected fully in law, policy and practise."

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Precious Life PO Box 425, Belfast, BT1 4YF

t: 028 9027 8484 e: [email protected]

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