More from ARC on why they oppose the ‘Protection of Life During Pregnancy’ Bill

The Abortion Rights Campaign [ARC] regretfully announces that following extensive analysis, we find the ‘Protection of Life During Pregnancy’ Bill is not fit for purpose. This legislation does not establish safe and accessible abortion in Ireland as mandated by the X Case ruling. ARC is submitting amendments to this problematic legislation and unless significant changes are made, ARC cannot stand behind the so-called ‘Protection of Life During Pregnancy’ Bill.

The Bill is flawed in its criminalisation of abortion seekers and healthcare professionals. other serious issues include the remaining lack of clarity, loose terms and provisions with respect to “conscientious objection,” and its non-medically supported definition of the term “unborn.” ARC spokesperson Sinead Redmond said, “The proposed legislation currently allows for an unspecified fine or a jail sentence of up to fourteen years for the estimated thousands of women in Ireland who self-administer the abortion pill each year, during the early weeks of pregnancy. These women, and the people who assist them – friends, partners and families will be subject to penalties for accessing a procedure that the government has acknowledged the need for when it asked the people to guarantee the freedom to travel as long ago as 1992.

The UN and Council of Europe have warned that criminalisation creates a far more dangerous situation for these women- not only those attempting self abortion but those who access legal abortion abroad and suffer complications on return to Ireland (as demonstrated during the A B and C case). They  are less likely to seek urgent medical assistance as they fear punitive fines or prison time. This is legislation we can’t live with.”

The Irish Family Planning Association has drawn attention to the strong criticism of the European Court of Human Rights of the inclusion of harsh criminal sanctions in its judgement in the A, B and C v Ireland case. It concluded that criminalisation  created significant ‘chilling factor’ for both women and their doctors, dissuading healthcare professionals from suggesting a termination when the termination is medically necessary. When Doctors are forced to hesitate and check the law before providing treatment to a patient –  it is clear that the law protects neither the patient, nor the healthcare providers they interact with. The so-called Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill does not make Ireland a safer place for pregnant women. If anything, this Bill makes it worse. 

Not only are the women and families who need access to abortions for fatal foetal abnormalities not included under this Bill – the definition of the unborn given specifically ensures that they can’t and won’t have access to the healthcare they need in Ireland. Also commenting, ARC spokesperson Sarah McCarthy said, “This is a terrible injustice to the women and families who are a part of the Termination For Medical Reasons (TFMR) group and those many thousands of others who have suffered the indignity of travel to access a necessary abortion.

The Bill is also deeply problematic for women facing emergency medical situations like those faced by Savita Halappanavar, as this legislation would most like not have clarified procedure enough to save her life.  What are the people of Ireland and all over the world to think and feel, knowing that even after the passing of this law, she and others could still be left to die in the Ireland of 2013?”

Unless the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is amended to remove the criminalisation and provisions are made to provide real access to abortion in Ireland, we are all no better off than before. This is legislation we simply can’t live with.

Abortion Rights Campaign – ‘Protection of life during pregnancy’ bill is “not fit for purpose.”

The Abortion Rights Campaign [ARC] has after extensive analysis, said the ‘Protection of Life During Pregnancy’ Bill is “not fit for purpose.”

According to the ARC it will A) not protect women’s lives and B) not establish safe and accessible abortion in Ireland within the narrow terms mandated by the Supreme Court X Case ruling. ARC are tabling amendments to the Bill to address these serious issues.

ARC spokesperson Sinéad Redmond said,

“This Bill won’t satisfy the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the ABC case as the ‘chilling factor’ of criminal sanctions for patients and doctors remains and will serve to dissuade doctors from offering life-saving terminations even when it is medically necessary. When Doctors are forced to hesitate and check the law before providing treatment to a patient -  it is clear that the law protects neither the patient, nor the healthcare providers they interact with. This is absurd, as well as hypocritical, when the constitution protects the rights to access information on abortion and to travel to have abortions in other jurisdictions."Also, the estimated thousands of women in Ireland who self-administer the abortion pill each year or turn to other desperate means to end their pregnancies are now possibly subject to a fourteen year jail sentence. Vulnerable women in these situations will be far less likely to seek the medical help they may urgently need should something go wrong.”

Further commenting, ARC spokesperson Sarah McCarthy said,

“The Bill will not address the needs of women facing emergency medical situations like those faced by Savita Halappanavar. This legislation would most likely not have clarified the procedure enough to save her life. It is simply not acceptable that women in situations like Savita will still be left to die in Irish hospital beds.“This Bill for the first time defines the ‘unborn’, against medical and scientific evidence, as a fertilised egg from implantation with equivalent rights to a woman. This means women who need access to abortions for fatal foetal abnormalities are deliberately excluded from this Bill. This is a terrible injustice to the women and families who have suffered and will continue to suffer the indignity of travel to access a necessary abortion.“Unless the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is amended to remove the criminalisation of women and provisions are made to provide real access to abortion in Ireland, we are all no better off than before. This is legislation we simply can’t live with.”

(http://www.abortionrightscampaign.ie/2013/06/27/legislation-we-cant-live-with/)

Action on X national protest 18 May

Cork Pro-Choice Alliance on distributing "illegal" leaflets

Cork Pro-Choice Alliance are distributing leaflets this Saturday on Patrick. St. informing women of abortion services available in England. This is in defiance of Irish law which prohibits the distribution of information on the subject.

Spokesperson Alan Gibson stated: “We are defying this unjust law because supporting a women’s right to choose is more important than following outdated Catholic doctrine. This censorship of information is undemocratic and of a bygone era.”

He added: “The government is ignoring the reality that over 4000 Irish women travel to England each year to avail of abortion services. The CWRTC believe this dereliction of duty to these women is simply unacceptable.”

“Information on abortion services needs to be made publicly available now.”

Pro-Choice Alliance Cork press release

The Pro-Choice Alliance Cork condemns Fianna Fail’s decision to oppose women’s access to their existing constitutional right.

It calls on all parties to face up to their responsibility not just to pass legislation on X but to repeal the 8th Amendment.

Spokeswoman Sandra McAvoy said

“It looks as if church gate collections matter more to Fianna Fail than their responsibilities to the women of Ireland. They took the same position that women had no right to control their fertility during the long fight to legalise contraception. Their Ard Feis vote could hardly have shown more clearly that they are the party of the past.”

“Fianna Fail’s stance is further proof that the major parties lack common sense, compassion, empathy.”

“They have learned nothing about women’s rights to life, health and to make their own decisions, from the scandals of symphysiotomy and Magdalen homes. But then, they have never shown an interest in the needs and interests of our women citizens.”

Cork Pro-Choice Alliance calls on the Irish state to face up to its primary responsibility to women by repealing the 8th Amendment and ensuring that our laws do not force women to become suicidal in the first place.

Sandra McAvoy

“Cases like the X case arise when states deny women (and children) who are pregnant against their will the right to terminations. They are avoided when states recognise women’s right to choose an early abortion. The only way to deal with the suicide issue, or with the myriad of reasons why a women might choose abortion to end a crisis pregnancy is to repeal the 8th Amendment. Those with ears to hear know it has brought anguish and the threat of death and disability to women.”

“It is time to repeal it and introduce legislation that meets women’s needs and reflects twenty-first century knowledge of women’s rights.”

Pro-choice Activist Anne McShane summed things up:

“The pro-life lobby would rather see women take their own life or die in childbirth than allow them basic rights. It is clear they pull key politician’s strings. We need an agenda that empowers women, not one decided by politicians or the church. Women in Ireland deserve the right to choose.”

Cork March for Choice a HUGE Success!

I think I speak for most members of CWRTC when I say we are still reeling from the amazing success of yesterday's march.

Grand Parade

Ailbhe Smyth - Action on X

We heard from Ailbhe Smyth of Action on X, Mary Favier of Doctor's for Choice, Laura FitzGerald of the Socialist Party and John Jeffries of the Worker's Party.  We were also blown away by the bravery and resolve of one young women who got up to tell her personal story and to appeal, among other things, for the importance of breaking the stifling stigma around abortions. Eye-opening words from all.

Top of Patrick St.

As for the march itself: if I'm honest, we had planned a couple of different routes to accommodate different turnout sizes - and we were not entirely sure what to expect. As people kept gathering at the fountain we scratched each 'small turnout' route off the list one by one.  Needless to say we were delighted when we had more than enough people (estimates are ranging from 200-300) to justify walking directly up Patrick St - not once, but twice!

Back down Patrick St.

Moreover it definitely seemed like the public reception was positive overall.  Despite rumours of a counter-demonstration there was none to speak of.  On the contrary we seemed to grow in numbers as we wandered down Patrick St.

There are a number of take home messages from the day.  For us at CWRTC it is that minds are changing.  The pro-choice movement and its support is growing - we WILL win this one.

March for Choice - Saturday March 9th

We are gearing up for Saturday and hope you are too!

If you know you can make it, please mark your attendance on our Facebook event and, once that's done, take a  moment, pop on some music, and start ticking boxes to invite everyone you know in the Cork area.

See you there!