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| Pro-choice activists target Jeremy Hunt over voting record on abortion rights | Pro-choice activists target Jeremy Hunt over voting record on abortion rights |
| (3 days later) | |
| Six hundred coat-hangers were delivered to the Department of Health on Friday by pro-choice activists anxious about possible attacks on abortion rights under the new health secretary, Jeremy Hunt. | Six hundred coat-hangers were delivered to the Department of Health on Friday by pro-choice activists anxious about possible attacks on abortion rights under the new health secretary, Jeremy Hunt. |
| The "present" from a non-affiliated group of activists symbolised their fears about Hunt's record on women's right to choose. In 2008 he voted for the time limit on abortion to be reduced from 24 weeks to 12. | The "present" from a non-affiliated group of activists symbolised their fears about Hunt's record on women's right to choose. In 2008 he voted for the time limit on abortion to be reduced from 24 weeks to 12. |
| Marking the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, the hangers were deposited by activists at Department of Health reception on Friday morning with a speech about the dangers of limiting safe and accessible abortion in the UK. | Marking the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, the hangers were deposited by activists at Department of Health reception on Friday morning with a speech about the dangers of limiting safe and accessible abortion in the UK. |
| "We are sending Hunt a reminder of what happens when you restrict abortion rights," said the stunt organiser, Kate Banyard of UK Feminista. "It becomes illegal and unsafe." | "We are sending Hunt a reminder of what happens when you restrict abortion rights," said the stunt organiser, Kate Banyard of UK Feminista. "It becomes illegal and unsafe." |
| While one in three women in Britain will have an abortion before the age of 45, activists say that the UK still does not have an abortion law fit for the 21st century. | While one in three women in Britain will have an abortion before the age of 45, activists say that the UK still does not have an abortion law fit for the 21st century. |
| The activists highlighted the severe limitations on access in Northern Ireland, where abortion remains a criminal offence, as well as what they say is a shift to a more conservative stance under the coalition government. They point to a number of recent policy proposals, including allowing anti-abortion organisations to offer publicly funded counselling services. | The activists highlighted the severe limitations on access in Northern Ireland, where abortion remains a criminal offence, as well as what they say is a shift to a more conservative stance under the coalition government. They point to a number of recent policy proposals, including allowing anti-abortion organisations to offer publicly funded counselling services. |
| "There has been a real and alarming change in the climate under this government," says Darinka Aleksic, campaign director at Abortion Rights, who took part in Friday's protest. "Anyone who supports reducing limits to 12 weeks does not support safe abortion and we want to signal to Hunt that any attacks on rights will not be accepted." | "There has been a real and alarming change in the climate under this government," says Darinka Aleksic, campaign director at Abortion Rights, who took part in Friday's protest. "Anyone who supports reducing limits to 12 weeks does not support safe abortion and we want to signal to Hunt that any attacks on rights will not be accepted." |
| This year has also seen an increase in anti-abortion campaigning in the UK and The action comes the same week that the anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life begins a month-long protest across nine cities in England. | This year has also seen an increase in anti-abortion campaigning in the UK and The action comes the same week that the anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life begins a month-long protest across nine cities in England. |
| However, the Department of Health says fears about the influence of ministerial or public anti-abortion sentiment within parliament are unwarranted. | However, the Department of Health says fears about the influence of ministerial or public anti-abortion sentiment within parliament are unwarranted. |
| A Department of Health statement said: "We believe that people should be able to express their views, but that this should not interfere with anyone else's ability to access legal abortion services. If clinics or any individuals have concerns about protests, they should contact the local police station for advice and support. | A Department of Health statement said: "We believe that people should be able to express their views, but that this should not interfere with anyone else's ability to access legal abortion services. If clinics or any individuals have concerns about protests, they should contact the local police station for advice and support. |
| "Parliamentary practice is that any proposals to change abortion laws come from backbench members and that decisions are made on the basis of free votes." | "Parliamentary practice is that any proposals to change abortion laws come from backbench members and that decisions are made on the basis of free votes." |
| Pro-choice activists will continue their campaign for reform this Saturday, assembling outside parliament as part of the National Day of Action on abortion rights. | Pro-choice activists will continue their campaign for reform this Saturday, assembling outside parliament as part of the National Day of Action on abortion rights. |
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