CARE welcomes Court of Appeal decision to hear disability abortion challenge

Press Release | 08 March 2022

CARE has welcomed news that a landmark case challenging discrimination in abortion law will be heard in England's Court of Appeal.

This afternoon, judges announced that they will hear a case brought by Heidi Crowter, a 26-year-old woman from Coventry who has Down's syndrome, after a previous challenge was rejected in the High Court.

Ms Crowter, along with mum Máire Lea-Wilson, whose two-year-old son Aidan has Down’s syndrome, is challenging a "discriminatory" clause permitting abortion up to term in cases of disability.

More information about the challenge can be found here: Press Release - Woman with Down’s syndrome’s landmark case against UK Govt over discriminatory abortion law to be heard by Court of Appeal - Don't Screen Us Out (dontscreenusout.org)

Ross Hendry, CEO of social policy charity CARE, commented:

“We’re delighted that Heidi’s landmark case will be heard in the Court of Appeal. Heidi is an inspirational campaigner who speaks for a huge number of people in the UK. We hope that judges are persuaded by her arguments.

"It is completely wrong that disability is a ground for abortion up to birth. Would we accept a law allowing babies to be aborted to term based on their sex, or their race? The current approach sends a message that the lives of people with disabilities are worth less than others.

“We trust that, in time, whether it is through the courts or through the parliamentary process, our country will move away from such regressive policies.”

ENDS

Noted for Editors

CARE is a Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Jamie Gillies: jamie.gillies@care.org.uk