Irish Wedding News
09/10/2014
The paper, which has been published by the Department of Justice, is looking to hear the public's views on the changes which would allow for the termination of pregnancies in cases of lethal foetal abnormality and sexual crime.
Northern Ireland has the strictest abortion laws in the UK, and are only permitted in certain circumstances, such as when there is a danger to the woman's life or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health.
As the region is not covered by the 1967 Abortion Act, more than 1,000 women travel to other regions in the UK each year where clinics carry out abortions up to 24 weeks into pregnancy – in cases that include abnormalities which could lead to a child being left with serious disabilities.
If the new proposals are passed, it would be the first such change in the legislation for more than 100 years.
In a statement, Justice Minister David Ford, said: "I consider now is the right time to look at the criminal law to consider whether it should be lawful to have an abortion in circumstances where there is no prospect of the foetus being delivered and having a viable life. Pregnancies which result from sexual crime, such as rape or incest, will also be considered under the consultation.
"This is a very emotive area and I want to clearly state that this consultation paper in no way represents proposals for abortion on demand. It is not about the wider issues of abortion law, often labelled 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice'. It is about considering legislative changes in two specific sets of circumstances."
Regarding lethal foetal abnormality, the paper recommends a proposal to allow "clinical judgement" to determine when a foetal condition is "incompatible with life," if it is deemed impossible to improve the chances of survival.
This would allow a woman to decide at the point when such a judgement is made, usually at the 20 week scan, whether or not she wanted to continue with the pregnancy.
The second issue on which the Department is seeking views is regarding woman who have become pregnant as a result of a sexual crime.
The consultation paper is available on the DOJ website.
It will run for 14 weeks, closing on 17 January 2015.
(JP)
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Consultation For NI's Abortion Laws
A consultation has been launched regarding the possible amendment of abortion laws in Northern Ireland.The paper, which has been published by the Department of Justice, is looking to hear the public's views on the changes which would allow for the termination of pregnancies in cases of lethal foetal abnormality and sexual crime.
Northern Ireland has the strictest abortion laws in the UK, and are only permitted in certain circumstances, such as when there is a danger to the woman's life or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health.
As the region is not covered by the 1967 Abortion Act, more than 1,000 women travel to other regions in the UK each year where clinics carry out abortions up to 24 weeks into pregnancy – in cases that include abnormalities which could lead to a child being left with serious disabilities.
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If the new proposals are passed, it would be the first such change in the legislation for more than 100 years.
In a statement, Justice Minister David Ford, said: "I consider now is the right time to look at the criminal law to consider whether it should be lawful to have an abortion in circumstances where there is no prospect of the foetus being delivered and having a viable life. Pregnancies which result from sexual crime, such as rape or incest, will also be considered under the consultation.
"This is a very emotive area and I want to clearly state that this consultation paper in no way represents proposals for abortion on demand. It is not about the wider issues of abortion law, often labelled 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice'. It is about considering legislative changes in two specific sets of circumstances."
Regarding lethal foetal abnormality, the paper recommends a proposal to allow "clinical judgement" to determine when a foetal condition is "incompatible with life," if it is deemed impossible to improve the chances of survival.
This would allow a woman to decide at the point when such a judgement is made, usually at the 20 week scan, whether or not she wanted to continue with the pregnancy.
The second issue on which the Department is seeking views is regarding woman who have become pregnant as a result of a sexual crime.
The consultation paper is available on the DOJ website.
It will run for 14 weeks, closing on 17 January 2015.
(JP)
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