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Northern Ireland – mother and daughter lose appeal to allow abortions on NHS Northern Ireland – mother and daughter lose appeal to allow abortions on NHS
(about 5 hours later)
A mother and her teenage daughter have lost an appeal against the government’s refusal to allow women in Northern Ireland to have abortions on the NHS.A mother and her teenage daughter have lost an appeal against the government’s refusal to allow women in Northern Ireland to have abortions on the NHS.
The women’s court challenge, which took place in the Court of Appeal in London on Wednesday, would have sought to overturn the almost total ban on abortions in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK where almost all terminations are illegal. The women’s court challenge, which took place in the court of appeal in London on Wednesday, would have sought to overturn the almost total ban on abortions in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK where almost all terminations are illegal.
Abortion in Northern Ireland, according to current law, “is only legal in exceptional circumstances if the life or long-term health of a pregnant woman is at risk”.Abortion in Northern Ireland, according to current law, “is only legal in exceptional circumstances if the life or long-term health of a pregnant woman is at risk”.
The case was brought by the girl, who was 15 at the time (known as claimant A), and whose identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons. The case was brought by the girl, who was 15 at the time. She was referred to as claimant A, and her identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons. After becoming pregnant, she travelled to England with her mother (claimant B) in October 2012. It cost the family £900 to have the termination carried out in an English hospital.
After becoming pregnant, she travelled to England with her mother (claimant B) in October 2012. It cost the family £900 to have the termination carried out in an English hospital. The women had asked the court of appeal to review a decision by Mr Justice King, who ruled in the high court last year that the exclusion of Northern Ireland from free NHS abortions was lawful.
The women had asked the Court of Appeal to review a decision by Mr Justice King, who ruled in the High Court last year that the exclusion of Northern Ireland from free NHS abortions was lawful. Following the judgment, the women’s lawyer, Angela Jackman from the law firm Simpson Millar, said they were considering taking the case to the European court of human rghts in Strasbourg.
Following the judgment, the women’s lawyer, Angela Jackman from the law firm Simpson Millar, said they were considering taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
“My clients did not give up last year and do not intend to give up now,” Jackman said.“My clients did not give up last year and do not intend to give up now,” Jackman said.
Last month another Northern Irish woman, Sarah Ewart, started legal action to challenge the almost total ban on terminations in the region’s hospitals. Last month another Northern Irish woman, Sarah Ewart, started legal action to challenge the almost total ban on terminations in the region’s hospitals. Ewart’s legal bid to overturn the abortion ban is backed by the Northern Ireland human rights commission.
Sarah Ewart’s legal bid to overturn the abortion ban is backed by the Northern Ireland human rights commission.
Ewart said the ordeal of being forced to seek a termination for a pregnancy that was doomed because her baby would have no brain turned into “a living nightmare”.Ewart said the ordeal of being forced to seek a termination for a pregnancy that was doomed because her baby would have no brain turned into “a living nightmare”.
Around 2,000 women travel to English hospitals and clinics from Northern Ireland every year to have terminations. There is strong opposition to liberalising the province’s abortion laws inside the Northern Ireland assembly.Around 2,000 women travel to English hospitals and clinics from Northern Ireland every year to have terminations. There is strong opposition to liberalising the province’s abortion laws inside the Northern Ireland assembly.
Abortion is only legal in Northern Ireland 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 1967Abortion Act was never extended to Northern Ireland and all the main local political parties oppose it. The 1967 Abortion Act was never extended to Northern Ireland and all the main local political parties oppose it.
Last week more than 200 people, mainly women, openly challenged the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to arrest them after they admitted in an open letter that they had procured abortion pills for other women and girls in the province.Last week more than 200 people, mainly women, openly challenged the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to arrest them after they admitted in an open letter that they had procured abortion pills for other women and girls in the province.
The pro-choice campaigners picketed the main police station in Derry on Strand Road and invited the PSNI to arrest for breaking the law. They have pledged to stage further pickets at police stations to highlight another case, which involves a mother being prosecuted for obtaining abortion pills for her underage daughter who became pregnant. The pro-choice campaigners picketed the main police station in Derry and invited the PSNI to arrest them for breaking the law. They have pledged to stage further pickets at police stations to highlight another case, which involves a mother being prosecuted for obtaining abortion pills for her underage daughter who became pregnant.