Precious Life welcome NI Secretary of State's comments
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Date: 27th February 2019
Precious Life welcome NI Secretary of State's comments
Precious Life has welcomed Northern Ireland's Secretary of State Karen Bradley's comments regarding the position regarding Northern Ireland's pro-life laws. The Secretary of State said that the Westminster Government or Parliament did not have a duty or an obligation to alter Northern Ireland's current life-saving laws.
“We have not had a declaration of incompatibility (with human rights) in a court judgment and, therefore, there is no obligation on the Westminster Government or Parliament to take action," the Secretary of State told Westminster's Women and Equalities Committee in relation to changing Northern Ireland's pro-life laws.
She also said she did not have the power to enforce legislative changes to the region’s pro-life laws because the Northern Ireland institutions, despite not functioning, were not suspended. “They exist. They could come into being tomorrow if the parties chose that they wish to go back into powersharing. Because of that, I, as Secretary of State, have no executive powers to direct the civil servants, the officials in Northern Ireland," she stated.
Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life today welcomed the comments, "We are glad that the Secretary of State has respect for the principles of devolution and is willing to respect the democratic will of the people here," she stated.
Bernadette Smyth concluded, "Over 100,000 people are alive today because of our existing laws. This is acknowledged by the majority of people living in Northern Ireland who, through elected representatives, have persistently voted to uphold the law as it stands. This was last made clear in February 2016. We are glad that the Secretary of State acknowledges that neither the Westminster Government or Parliament are in the position to override the democratic will of the people in Northern Ireland."
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