Despite sustained public opposition, House of Commons Committee passes NI abortion regulations
On Monday (8th June) in the House of Commons, the Northern Ireland abortion regulations were passed by a Committee. The regulations will now move forward to the House of Lords and will need to be passed there in a committee.
The regulations bring into force a legal abortion framework for Northern Ireland. They allow abortion on request up to 6 months’ gestation (24 weeks), and up to the point of birth for reasons such as disability. The extremity of the regulations is highlighted further in the fact that abortions can be approved by just one doctor, nurse or midwife up to 12 weeks – whereas UK law stipulates abortions must be approved by 2 doctors.
In an appalling betrayal of democracy, the regulations were passed despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of the 21,000 NI citizens who responded to the UK Government’s public consultation rejected such changes. A staggering 79% of the 21,000 people who submitted a response to the consultation rejected ANY change to Northern Ireland’s pro-life laws.
Pro-life MPs take a stand
Several pro-life MPs have taken a stand against the radical abortion regime and have spoken out in defence of Northern Ireland’s unborn children.
Ian Paisley described the way in which abortion was imposed on the province as "an affront to the people of Northern Ireland". He commented that the Northern Ireland Assembly have been “denied a vote on the issue.”
Jim Shannon MP spoke about the level of public support for Northern Ireland’s long-standing protection for the unborn, and the mounting public opposition to any introduction of abortion.
“Does the Minister recognise the depth of feeling among the community across Northern Ireland? He referred earlier to churches and so on, but he will know that some 20,000 people signed a petition in Northern Ireland. In comparison with the rest of the United Kingdom, that would equate to half a million people on the mainland signing a petition. When it comes to looking holistically across the whole of the community, the number of people who are unhappy with the legislation going ahead is very important. There are indications that some 71% of the population would be unhappy with this liberalisation of abortion going ahead in Northern Ireland.”
Carla Lockhart MP also blasted the actions of the British Government.
“There is nothing balanced about what the Government are doing. They are permitting the termination of lives, against the will of the Northern Ireland people.”
Defending unborn children who have the right to life
Both Ian Paisley and MP and Carla Lockhart MP spoke up about the rights of unborn children, who have been denied the right to life, and completely ignored in the regulations.
“This legislation does not protect the rights of women and girls, or of the unborn. It dismisses their rights—that is the fact,” said Ian Paisley.
Carla Lockhart highlighted the two unique lives involved in every pregnancy, and asked that the silent scream of the unborn be heard.
“I ask the Committee to take note of the fact that both lives matter. We hear much about women’s health—as a woman, I agree that we need to adhere to women’s health and ensure that they have everything in place to assist them—but both lives matter; there is also a baby in the conversation. I call on hon. Members to hear the silent scream of the baby being terminated.”
Regulations disregard the will of the NI Assembly
The Regulations were also passed despite the fact that the NI Assembly rejected the imposition of the unjust and extreme abortion legislation in a vote just last Tuesday (2nd June). A DUP motion opposing the imposition of the abortion regime, with a particular focus on disability-selective abortion, was passed by 46 votes to 40.
In Monday’s debate, Carla Lockhart MP highlighted this to the Minister and called for the will of the elected representatives and the people of Northern Ireland to be respected.
“I believe that the crux of this issue is one of respect: respect for devolution; respect for the devolved Assembly; respect for the will of the people of Northern Ireland; and respect for those with disabilities.
“My colleagues in the NI Assembly ask for the same. Last week, 75 out of 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly indicated that they did not support abortion for non-fatal disabilities, yet this Government proceed. To borrow a phrase, those 75 MLAs want to “take back control” of abortion law. They want to defend the life of the unborn with a disability.”
CEDAW recommendations are non-binding
Despite the efforts of thousands across Northern Ireland and the courageous stance of many pro-life MPs, the UK Government claimed that the extreme regulations can only be changed by the NI Assembly if they comply with the UN CEDAW (the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) Committee’s report on abortion in Northern Ireland.
The recommendations of the report from the radical pro-abortion Committee formed the basis of the legislation passed by MPs last summer, forcing one of Europe’s most extreme abortion laws onto Northern Ireland.
However, the truth is that these recommendations – which are so broadly out of touch with the will of the people of Northern Ireland – are not legally binding. These appalling and cruel recommendations are nothing more than the opinion of a select sub-committee driving home a radical abortion agenda.
The regulations have also been passed despite huge public uproar – tens of thousands have signed petitions, attended marches and public demonstrations, responded to Precious Life campaigns, and rejected this law in the public consultation.
The regulations will now move to the House of Lords and will need to be passed there by a separate committee.
'Not in Our Name'
Bernadette Smyth, Director and spokesperson for Precious Life, slammed the actions of the House of Commons Commitee.
"This is an affront to the people of Northern Ireland and to the democratic process. The will of the people of Northern Ireland, and the will of their elected representatives, has once again been ignored. The consensus is very clear at this stage: 79% of those who responded the the NIO's public consultation on this horrific abortion regime were opposed to any introduction of abortion in Northern Ireland.
There is absolutely no public demand for abortion in Northern Ireland as the majority of people want to see the lives of both mother and baby treated with equality and compassion. The UK Government has once again shown its willingness to disregard the results of its own funded consultation to push forward this radical abortion regime at all costs."
Ms Smyth continued, "From our own public awareness campaigns, we know that tens of thousands of concerned NI citizens have been tirelessly signing petitions, emailing their elected representatives at Stormont, and contacting their MPs ahead of Monday's debate. There has been incredible and sustained public pressure placed on the UK Government to withdraw these unjust regulations, yet it is clear the UK Government are willing to ride roughshod over the will of the people and the will of Stormont in pursuit of abortion on demand and up to birth.
"Northern Ireland, a society which for so long protected the weakest among us and their mothers, is being used as a trojan horse to push forward an abortion agenda which would see abortion decriminalised - and subsequently legalised up to birth - throughout the whole of the UK. As Northern Ireland's leading pro-life organisation, we will continue to represent the will of the pro-life majority here, and will look into challenging this draconian law in every way we can, including through a legal challenge."