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Northern Ireland abortion laws case goes to High Court | Northern Ireland abortion laws case goes to High Court |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Human Rights Commission is to apply to the High Court on Monday for a judicial review of abortion law in Northern Ireland. | The Human Rights Commission is to apply to the High Court on Monday for a judicial review of abortion law in Northern Ireland. |
It is seeking a change to allow abortion in cases of rape, incest or "serious malformation" of a foetus. | It is seeking a change to allow abortion in cases of rape, incest or "serious malformation" of a foetus. |
Currently, abortion is only legal if a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent or serious damage to her mental or physical health. | Currently, abortion is only legal if a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent or serious damage to her mental or physical health. |
The High Court will determine if the case will proceed to a full hearing. | The High Court will determine if the case will proceed to a full hearing. |
The Department of Justice is currently consulting on proposed changes to abortion law. | The Department of Justice is currently consulting on proposed changes to abortion law. |
The Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Les Allamby, told BBC Northern Ireland's Good Morning Ulster programme that abortion should be available in certain situations. | |
He said the situations were if "a woman or a girl has been raped, is a victim of incest, or has a serious foetal abnormality". | |
"In those circumstances, very specific circumstances, we believe there are two conventions - the European Convention on Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women - where you should have access to termination of pregnancy here in Northern Ireland rather than have to travel across the water," he added. |