Precious Life's Repeal Section 9 Campaign visits Derry

Precious Life’s Repeal Section 9 Campaign visited Derry at the weekend. Volunteers and activists from across Northern Ireland took part in a socially distanced witness for life on Saturday 20 June to promote the Repeal Section 9 message.

The Campaign is calling for the urgent repeal of the Westminster-imposed abortion legislation which allows for abortion on demand and up to the point of birth in Northern Ireland. The law came into force at the end of March despite a staggering 79% of respondents to the NIO’s public consultation stating that they did not want to see any change to Northern Ireland’s long-standing pro-life laws.

Speaking at the event, Bernadette Smyth, Head of Precious Life, said:

“The only way we can restore full legal protection for unborn children across Northern Ireland is through the repeal of this extreme and barbaric abortion legislation. Under Section 9, abortion is now allowed right through to the moment of birth in Northern Ireland for a range of reasons, including vague reasons such as ‘mental health.’

We are here today to say that we are not going away; this law will never be in the name of the people of Northern Ireland; and we are only going to work harder until this permissive and unjust legislation is repealed at Stormont. Every abortion ends the life of a defenceless unborn child, and our work will not stop until every single child is protected.”

Ms Smyth said Precious Life have been overwhelmed by the response to their Repeal Campaign, with thousands of people across Northern Ireland expressing their support, getting involved, writing to politicians, and signing the official petition to repeal the law.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the response to our Repeal Section 9 Campaign. We want to thank every person who has stood up against this appalling injustice and used their voice to defend our voiceless unborn brothers and sisters. We will continue to unite for life, and keep the pressure on our MLAs to take action to repeal this unthinkable abortion law.”