CARE NI launches campaign to support Bill that will end abortion to birth for disabilities in Northern Ireland
AbortionCARE NI is today re-launching its fearfully and wonderfully made campaign to help support a new bill at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Paul Givan MLA's Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment0 Bill will change the current abortion laws to stop abortion to term, or 40+ weeks, for non-fatal disabilities such as Down's syndrome, cleft lip or club foot.
The bill had its Stage One at the Northern Ireland Assembly today and MLAs will be given the chance to vote on the Bill at Stage Two in the coming weeks.
First step
Last year, Westminster imposed new abortion laws on Northern Ireland that in a number of ways are even more extreme than Great Britain.
Under the current abortion laws in Northern Ireland, abortion is legal for any reason up to 12 weeks and on demand up to 24 weeks and right top to birth for 'serious disabilities'.
Following the Westminster-imposed law change, MLAs at the newly restored Assembly last year voted for two motions rejecting abortion to birth for disabilities.
Mr Givan's Bill builds on the outcome of those votes at the NI Assembly last year, where 75 out of 90 MLAs voted for a motion rejecting abortion to birth for all non-fatal disabilities.
Back the bill
Commenting on the Bill, CARE NI's Director, Tim Martin said:
The Bill is expected to be considered at Stage Two in the coming weeks and this is where all MLAs will debate the general principles of the bill and vote to send it to committee where further consideration will take place.
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CARE NI launches campaign to support Bill that will end abortion to birth for disabilities in Northern Ireland