Precious Life condemn Welsh Government and Irish Health Minister for disregarding Democracy
Northern Ireland’s leading pro-life group Precious Life has condemned the Welsh Government and the Health Minister of the Irish Republic who have both announced they will provide free abortions to women from Northern Ireland. Precious Life have said these announcements are shocking and outrageous attacks on Northern Ireland’s unborn babies and the democratic process.
On Friday (Nov 9), the Welsh Government announced that they, like England and Scotland, will provide free abortions for women from Northern Ireland. Director of Precious Life, Bernadette Smyth, said, "What hypocrisy! Wales has a devolved government yet they are completely disrespecting and disregarding our devolved government in Northern Ireland. Abortion is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. Therefore, any change to our pro-life laws is for our elected representatives at Stormont to decide. However, as recently as 2016 our government voted to uphold our laws in Northern Ireland that safeguard mothers and unborn babies."
On Thursday (Nov 15), Simon Harris will meet with pro-abortion advocates from Northern Ireland with regards to providing free abortions across the border. When abortion becomes officially legal in the Republic it will be available up to 12 weeks for any reason, up to 6 months on vague mental health grounds and up to 9 months for disability. The majority of the Irish Government have voted in favour of the current legislation which doesn't provide pain relief for babies being killed in last-term abortions nor does it provide any medical care for babies who survive an abortion. Furthermore, the legislation provides no safeguards or provisions against abortions on the grounds of race, gender or disability.
Bernadette Smyth commented that, "This extreme, cruel legislation is not what the Irish people voted for. Irish taxpayers' money will be used to murder not only Irish unborn babies but Northern Irish babies also. Simon Harris’ blatant disregard for the right to life extends across the border with this push to provide free abortions to kill unborn children from the North. Once again we have a pro-abortion politician attacking Northern Ireland’s democratic process – it’s totally outrageous and demonstrates a shocking level of utter contempt for democracy.”
She added, “Abortion is not healthcare. Abortion kills babies and hurts women. These announcements from the Welsh Government and Simon Harris are insults to the medical profession of Northern Ireland. All genuine medical treatment is already provided for pregnant women and their babies in Northern Ireland."
Bernadette Smyth concluded, “The Welsh Government and the Government of the Republic of Ireland have no jurisdiction in Northern Ireland. No other government or politician should have the right to dictate our laws as abortion is a devolved issue in Northern Ireland. These attacks on our laws show utter disrespect and disregard for democracy. Our laws protect mothers and their unborn babies. This is the reality that the Welsh Government, Simon Harris and other pro-abortion politicians need to acknowledge as a matter of urgency, and stop interfering in our affairs. Women in Northern Ireland deserve better than abortion. We will continue to ensure that abortion remains not only illegal, but unthinkable.”