BPAS: Commenting on the ruling from the European Court of Human Rights on the challenge to Ireland’s abortion law
The abortion charity bpas welcomes the decision by the court that a woman in remission from cancer had her human rights violated when she had to travel from Ireland to England to access abortion services.
Bpas supported all three women involved, and while it is disappointed that the cases presented by the two other applicants were dismissed, the charity hopes the Irish Government will now act to clarify its abortion laws when a woman’s life may be at risk. Bpas provided an expert submission to the court on the needs of Irish women travelling for abortion care in the UK and the problems caused by treatment delays imposed by legal restrictions.
Bpas’ chief executive Ann Furedi said:
“Although this ruling will help a tiny number of women of with life-threatening conditions it does little to change matters for the many women from Ireland with crisis pregnancies who must travel to access a fundamental service routinely available throughout Europe but which they are denied.
Contraception fails in Ireland as it does in England, and women have abortions – but they do so here, while their political leaders look away. We hope this case has gone some way in highlighting the plight of thousands of women from Ireland every year, who simply want to be able to make meaningful responsible decisions about their lives, their families, and their futures. “The lack of clarity as to when abortion may be lawful in Ireland puts women and doctors in an impossible situation, and the sooner this can be remedied the better”
Notes for Editors:
The case was heard on December 9th 2009 at an oral hearing before the Grand Chamber of the Court. This 17-judge court is reserved to hear cases of particular importance that raise serious questions affecting the interpretation of the European Human Rights Convention. The first applicant had children in the care of the state as a result of personal problems and considered a further child would jeopardise the successful reunification of her existing family. The second applicant was at risk of an ectopic pregnancy. The third applicant was in remission from cancer when she became pregnant. Unaware that she was pregnant she underwent a series of check ups contraindicated during pregnancy. She claims she could not obtain clear advice about the risks to her health and life and to the foetus if she continued to term.
For more information, or to request an interview, please call the bpas press office on 07788 725 185 or 020 7612 0206. For a briefing on the available facts on the case and its legal context, please contact the Irish Family Planning association in Dublin on 00 353 1 806 9444.
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