Precious Life declare that "there is no right to abortion"
Northern Ireland’s leading pro-life group Precious Life declare that "there is no right to abortion" following MP Penny Mordaunt's comments to the contrary (3 July). The pro-life group are confident that the next Prime Minister will respect devolution and the democratic process in Northern Ireland.
Precious Life's spokesperson, Bernadette Smyth, responded to Ms Mordaunt referring to the care for women in Northern Ireland as 'appalling.' Mrs Smyth said, "There is nothing appalling about our two-patient model in Northern Ireland that cares for and protects both the mother and her unborn child. There are no health benefits to an abortion. It kills babies and hurts women. Women need real, life-affirming care, love and practical support."
Mrs Smyth added, "There is no right to abortion under any international law, covenant or treaty. There is, however, the most fundamental and inalienable human right, the right to life, enshrined in international law. Our pro-life legislation safeguards this right for every person, born and unborn."
She went on to say, "Conservative MPs Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have already made it very clear that if either of them were to be elected as the new Prime Minister abortion would remain a devolved issue in Northern Ireland. One can't pick and choose devolution. The people of Northern Ireland, along with their elected political representatives, have repeatedly rejected a reform of our life-saving laws. The legislation in Northern Ireland ensures that mothers and their unborn children are protected in law, policy and practice."
She concluded, "The court ruling that Ms Mordaunt referred to is attempting to legalise abortion right up to birth for babies prenatally diagnosed with a life-limiting condition. Precious Life were 'Third Party Intervenors' in this case when it was heard in Belfast's Royal Courts of Justice in January 2019. We are confident that this Court will acknowledge that abortion is a devolved issue in Northern Ireland and is a matter for the NI Assembly.”