Abortion: outrage at diktat for Northern Ireland

Nicola Laver  |  UK & Ireland
Date posted:  1 May 2021
Share Add       
Abortion: outrage at diktat  for Northern Ireland

photo: Maria Oswalt on Unsplash

The UK government has taken unprecedented and controversial steps in an attempt to force Stormont to implement new abortion laws.

In March 2020, abortion law in Northern Ireland (NI) changed allowing terminations for any reason during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and thereafter only in certain cases. No limit has been placed in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.

The new laws were imposed on the region during the collapse of the power-sharing institutions, but the NI executive has refused to take action commissioning abortion services consistent with the regulations. Central government has responded by granting the NI secretary Brandon Lewis powers to impose a statutory duty on NI ministers and relevant authorities to ensure full local access to abortions.

Share
< Previous article| UK & Ireland| Next article >
Read more articles on:   abortion
Read more articles by Nicola Laver >>
UK & Ireland
Ban on smacking in England hanging in the balance

Ban on smacking in England hanging in the balance

Calls to criminalise smacking in England are regaining momentum, with leading psychiatrists urging MPs to back an amendment to the …

UK & Ireland
Further allegations emerge about the late David Fletcher

Further allegations emerge about the late David Fletcher

Further allegations have been made against the late David Fletcher since three women accused him of sexual abuse over a …

About en

Our vision, values and history.

Read more

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access

Find out more