This has been a disappointing week for Northern Ireland from the pro-life perspective, given that the Westminster House of Commons voted for the final time to impose extreme abortion laws there.
MPs voted 253 to 136 in favour of the motion approving the abortion regime. The Commons vote comes a few days after a similar vote in the House of Lords where the ratio was 355 to 77.
These votes represent a shocking lack of respect for due process, Northern Ireland political representatives (who voted to reject the extreme elements of the proposals earlier this month), the people of Northern Ireland (who rejected any change to the law by 79% in a public consultation) and most fundamentally for the lives of unborn children who will be deprived of their right to life.
While this result is disappointing, the fact that well over 200 public representatives in the House of Commons and House of Lords voted against the regulations is encouraging. It shows that lobbying efforts from pro-life supporters and organisations works and the challenge now is to consolidate that support to look for change.
We encourage our colleagues in Northern Ireland to keep up the fight and we will to continue to work with them to support women in unplanned pregnancies, and ultimately to overturn the unjust and extreme abortion laws across the island of Ireland.
The draft Programme for Government released earlier this week contains a commitment to establish exclusion zones outside abortion facilities. As well as promising legislation prohibiting the right of pro-life people to peacefully assemble, the document doesn’t contain a single line about putting resources in place to provide positive alternatives to abortion.
Exclusion zones which deny peaceful protest and free speech exist in no other part of Europe, yet the Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Green Party negotiating teams are committed to imposing them on the pro-life community in Ireland. It amounts to a serious breach of civil liberties and will be strongly opposed by the Pro Life Campaign.
Some months back the Garda Commissioner wrote to the outgoing Minister for Health Simon Harris stating that exclusion zones were unwarranted and indicating that their introduction would be a disproportionate response.
If introduced, the exclusion zones proposed in the draft Programme for Government would selectively single out one group of people in society, namely members of the pro-life movement. Those who have been pushing for exclusion zones know full well that pro-life supporters are respectful and dignified when engaging in street outreach and are there to offer positive support to women.
Alina Dulgheriu from the London based group ‘Be Here for Me’ told members of the Oireachtas last year that “a just and caring society doesn’t criminalise people for offering help to vulnerable mothers.” She was addressing a meeting in the Dáil on foot of suggestions that exclusion zones might be introduced here.
Ms Dulgheriu said she owes the life of her daughter to a pro-life person she met outside a Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Ealing, London. She told Oireachtas members: “The day I made my way to the abortion facility was the darkest day my heart has ever known. I knew that there was no help, no support during my pregnancy. All I needed was help until I gave birth. A lady and a leaflet. That's all it took. Right there at the steps of abortion centre. This lady was offering unconditional help during my pregnancy and wanted nothing in return just for me to make the right decision in a desperate situation.”
It is for women like Alina and her daughter that we must oppose the move in the Programme for Government to introduce censorship zones here.
The absence of any reference to alternatives to abortion within the draft Programme for Government is also profoundly disappointing. It is heartening though that there is huge public support for programmes that offer positive alternatives to abortion.
As well as opposing the introduction of censorship zones, we need to harness and mobilise the support that exists for positive alternatives to abortion and draw the public’s attention to the refusal of many within the main political parties to commit to helping those who are conflicted about having an abortion and would benefit hugely if adequate supports were in place.
Register here for the webinar with Congressman Chris Smith, Deputy Carol Nolan and Senator Rónán Mullen on 11th July!
We are thrilled that we will be joined by Congressman Chris Smith at our next PLC Network Webinar. A long time advocate for human rights and human dignity, Chris Smith represents New Jersey in Congress. He has served as a member of the US Delegation to the UN General Assembly and has focused much of his career on human rights land anti-human trafficking legislation as well as leading human rights missions to other countries.
We will also be joined by Deputy Carol Nolan and Senator Rónán Mullen at this event as well as Grassroots pro-life activists and panellists.
The event is FREE but pre-registration is essential. You can register instantly here
Students For Life broadcast the third episode of their video services 'The Outlook' on Facebook last night. Una Mary chatted to Melissa, a young mother from Cork about her change from being a Yes campaigner and voter in 2018 to being a pro-life activist today. This is compelling viewing and Melissa talks particularly about the impact the birth of her daughter Grace had on her life. Click above to watch and share this video! ✨ 👣 🤩 💛
We are thrilled with the number of people who have already registered to complete a 5K run or walk during June to raise much needed funds for support services for women in unplanned pregnancy and new mothers.
If you have already registered to take part, please share it on social media and nominate five others to join you. If you haven't signed up, why not do so today? All you need to do is commit to doing a 5k walk or run during the month of June. You can register here
Once you register, you will get an invitation to join the online 'Team' and we will send you out your official LoveBoth fundraising pack including a sponsorship form and t-shirt. They you can get on the road like our super volunteers above!
How else can you support the cause?
Whether you are doing the challenge or not you can donate to this this fundraiser here
Join a Masterclass on communicating the pro-life message!
Want to learn how to explain the pro-life position (or advance your knowledge) and skillfully answer challenging questions? Our next online Communications Workshop will cater for all levels and will take place on Wednesday 24th June from 8.30-9.30pm.
Are you a secondary school (TY or older) or third level student? Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning? We are seeking ‘virtual’ interns to work part-time from home at this time. Internships run for one week periods throughout the Summer.
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]
