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Despite sustained public opposition, House of Commons Committee passes NI abortion regulations

On Monday (8th June) in the House of Commons, the Northern Ireland abortion regulations were passed by a Committee. The regulations will now move forward to the House of Lords and will need to be passed there in a committee.

The regulations bring into force a legal abortion framework for Northern Ireland. They allow abortion on request up to 6 months’ gestation (24 weeks), and up to the point of birth for reasons such as disability. The extremity of the regulations is highlighted further in the fact that abortions can be approved by just one doctor, nurse or midwife up to 12 weeks – whereas UK law stipulates abortions must be approved by 2 doctors.

In an appalling betrayal of democracy, the regulations were passed despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of the 21,000 NI citizens who responded to the UK Government’s public consultation rejected such changes. A staggering 79% of the 21,000 people who submitted a response to the consultation rejected ANY change to Northern Ireland’s pro-life laws.

Pro-life MPs take a stand

Several pro-life MPs have taken a stand against the radical abortion regime and have spoken out in defence of Northern Ireland’s unborn children.

Ian Paisley described the way in which abortion was imposed on the province as "an affront to the people of Northern Ireland". He commented that the Northern Ireland Assembly have been “denied a vote on the issue.”

Jim Shannon MP spoke about the level of public support for Northern Ireland’s long-standing protection for the unborn, and the mounting public opposition to any introduction of abortion.

“Does the Minister recognise the depth of feeling among the community across Northern Ireland? He referred earlier to churches and so on, but he will know that some 20,000 people signed a petition in Northern Ireland. In comparison with the rest of the United Kingdom, that would equate to half a million people on the mainland signing a petition. When it comes to looking holistically across the whole of the community, the number of people who are unhappy with the legislation going ahead is very important. There are indications that some 71% of the population would be unhappy with this liberalisation of abortion going ahead in Northern Ireland.”

Carla Lockhart MP also blasted the actions of the British Government.

“There is nothing balanced about what the Government are doing. They are permitting the termination of lives, against the will of the Northern Ireland people.”

'Not in Our Name'

Bernadette Smyth, Director and spokesperson for Precious Life, slammed the actions of the House of Commons Commitee.

"This is an affront to the people of Northern Ireland and to the democratic process. The will of the people of Northern Ireland, and the will of their elected representatives, has once again been ignored.

"The consensus is very clear at this stage: 79% of those who responded the the NIO's public consultation on this horrific abortion regime were opposed to any introduction of abortion in Northern Ireland.

"There is absolutely no public demand for abortion in Northern Ireland as the majority of people want to see the lives of both mother and baby treated with equality and compassion. The UK Government has once again shown its willingness to disregard the results of its own taxpayer funded consultation to push forward this radical abortion regime at all costs.

"As Northern Ireland's leading pro-life organisation, we will continue to represent the will of the pro-life majority here, and we will look into challenging this draconian law in every way we can, including through a legal challenge."

You can read our update in full HERE: [[link removed]]

Yours in Life,

The Precious Life Communications Team

Precious Life PO Box 425, Belfast, BT1 4YF

t: 028 9027 8484 e: [email protected]

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