Project Justice
In July 2014, Mr Jim Wells MLA put forward a proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill. Abortion in Northern Ireland is a criminal offence, and this proposed amendment makes clear that a defence to the criminal charge of abortion would not be available to anyone who performed an abortion for fee or reward at a private medical centre. The law in Northern Ireland ensures pregnant women receive world-class medical care because both the unborn child and mother are treated as patients. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that private clinics, such as the Marie Stopes centre which opened its doors in Belfast in October 2012, cannot legally carry out abortions.
Any proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill requires full consultation to ensure all viewpoints are aired and considered. Therefore, the Justice Committee is currently running a public consultation, seeking the public’s views and comments on the proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill.
We urge you to please respond to the public consultation and state your support for the proposed amendment and make clear your opposition to the Marie Stopes centre remaining open in Belfast. I also ask you to promote this public consultation and the need for submissions to your friends and encourage them to respond to the public consultation in support of the proposed amendment and in opposition to the Marie Stopes centre remaining open in Belfast. We have produced ‘submission postcards’ and fliers to be distributed in all over the country. We would be more than happy to send you any amount of ‘submission postcards’ and fliers for you to distribute. Or you can now log on to http://www.citizengo.org/en/signit/10517/view and sign our petition! Don’t forget to enter your postcode!
As you know, the common bond in seeking to protect and provide the best care for mothers and unborn babies is replicated across our religious communities and is demonstrated by support from the Baptist Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Catholic Church. It is vital that we do all that we can to close down Marie Stopes and ensure that unborn children and their mothers are protected.
To assist you in submitting your response to the consultation, we have a draft submission to the Justice Committee. You may find a number of interesting points to include in your response to the consultation. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Precious Life on 028 9027 8484 or email us at info@preciouslife.com.