DUP bid for abortion law change
Last updated 16th Feb 2021
An attempt to scrap one part of Northern Ireland’s newly liberalised abortion laws will today (Tuesday) be heard at Stormont.
The private member's bill hopes to abandon part of the rules which allow terminations up to birth in cases of serious non-fatal disabilities, which would include Down’s Syndrome.
The bill is being tabled by the DUP MLA Paul Givan.
During an Assembly debate last year, a majority of MLAs voted in opposition to the particular section of the law that allows late stage abortions when severe disability has been diagnosed.
The laws allow abortion in all circumstances up to 12 weeks. Terminations are permitted up to 24 weeks when there is a risk to the woman's physical or mental health.
There is no time limit in cases of fatal foetal abnormality or when there has been a diagnosis of a serious physical or mental impairment that would cause a serious disability.
The bill would not affect the provision within the law that permits abortions up to birth for fatal foetal abnormalities, where babies are not expected to survive outside the womb.
Mr Givan's move is being backed by disability rights campaign group 'Don't Screen Us Out', which claims the law is discriminatory and will allow abortions without time limit for conditions such as Down's syndrome or cleft palate.
In an interview with Downtown Radio & Cool FM, Lynne Murray from the group said: "I think if you put yourself in the position of a minority group, which is singled out in this way, it’s deeply offensive to people with Down’s Syndrome,” she said.
“That’s the general consensus - they have a fear of screening and what it brings.
“Having a life with a disability is not a bad thing, and we should be listening to the people who are saying, ‘hey, we’re all good, we’re having a good life!’ We should start to consult with these people in these matters.”
The bill seeking to amend Section 7 of the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Regulations 2020 is due to be introduced by Mr Givan on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday – a stage which normally only last several minutes.