Precious Life has described as "utterly barbaric" the killings of 32 babies in Northern Ireland who were born alive after abortions; and say the "institutionalised hypocrisy" of the Department of Health must end.

The shocking revelation of the deaths of the 32 babies came from TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, who told the NI Assembly that "...death registrations for the category ‘Termination of Pregnancy’ affecting foetus and newborn, identified 32 deaths …where that cause was recorded on the death certificate as either contributory or underlying."

In a passionate statement, Mr. Gaston said, "We should all reflect on what that means. These were living children, infants who had taken their first breaths, 32 little boys and girls ...the stark fact remains that these children were born alive and later died."

Precious Life Director Bernadette Smyth said, "Every killing of a baby in his or her mother’s womb is horrific, but it is utterly barbaric that 32 babies died after being born alive despite the abortion that intended to kill them before birth.

"I shudder to think how these babies died. Having 'survived' the abortion, were they simply left to die alone in a soiled utility room, without comfort or care?"

Mrs. Smyth explained, "Prostaglandin abortions are carried out in mid and late-term pregnancies. Prostaglandin is a chemical injected into the mother’s womb to cause powerful contractions and expel the baby. The baby usually dies from the trauma of the forced delivery, but if born alive, the baby is left to die."

She continued, "Where is the outcry from the media? Their silence is deafening on this horror. Every right-thinking person in Northern Ireland will be shocked and outraged to know that this is happening to little babies in our hospitals. The Department of Health must end their institutionalised hypocrisy of having hospital wards where premature babies receive state-of-the-art medical care to keep them alive, yet down the corridor, other little baby girls and boys are suffering a cruel and agonising death, left lying, moving, and whimpering before taking their final breath.

"It must also be exposed that the horrific killing of these 32 babies is fully supported by Sinn Féin, SDLP, Alliance Party, Green Party and People Before Profit."

In his statement to the Assembly, Timothy Gaston commended the work of Precious Life for continuing to "champion the truth that every human life is worthy of protection."

Summing up, he said, "It remains my deep conviction that abortion is the greatest moral evil of our lifetime. While others choose to look the other way, I will ensure that no one can say they were unaware of this quiet holocaust taking place in our province."

Bernadette Smyth concluded, "We commend Timothy Gaston and other pro-life politicians who continue to bravely stand up and be a voice for the unborn child in the NI Assembly. Precious Life will continue lobbying and working with them to ensure that abortion becomes not only illegal, but unthinkable in Northern Ireland."
 

WATCH STATEMENT FROM TIMOTHY GASTON TO THE NI ASSEMBLY