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23/06/2016

NI Politician Hits Out At Abortion Reform

Northern Ireland MLA Paula Bradshaw has criticised the Executive over a lack of action regarding abortion reform in the region.

Her comments come after it was revealed that a working group, established earlier this year to examine the issue of abortion in NI, is yet to meet.

In a statement, Ms Bradshaw said: "It is completely unacceptable that plans for this working group have seemingly been shelved, leaving women and families who are dealing with fatal foetal abnormality in pregnancy completely unsupported.

"It is particularly interesting that the Health Minister has suggested she'll be meeting with the Justice Minister in coming weeks to move the issue forward – especially as the Justice Minister has confirmed in a written answer to my colleague David Ford that she is 'yet to establish' if support exists within the Executive 'for any such legislative change'.

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"In the last mandate my colleagues worked to move this issue forward, with then Justice Minister David Ford proposing legislation at the Executive table in June 2015 – however to date no legislation has come forward.

"And again earlier this year my colleagues Trevor Lunn and Stewart Dickson sought to amend the final justice bill, only for their amendment to be voted down, leaving many women with no option but to continue the pregnancy or make the journey across the Irish Sea to seek a termination."

Legislation surrounding abortion is different in Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK, as the Abortion Act 1967 was never extended to the country. A termination is only allowed if a woman's life is at risk, or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health.

(JP)

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"Northern Ireland MLA Paula Bradshaw has criticised the Executive over a lack of action regarding abortion reform in the region."