Abortion: right to choose?

Friday 28 November 08

Parliament will shortly be debating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, of which is an amendment which would allow women in Northern Ireland the same rights and access to abortion as women in the rest of the UK, by the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.

The issue of abortion in Northern Ireland has always been both emotive and controversial. The 1990 British Social Attitudes Survey compared public opinion in Northern Ireland with Great Britain on a variety of issues. It concluded that in Northern Ireland "there is much greater opposition to abortion, particularly where an abortion might be for social reasons."
It further remarked, "Conservatism in respect of sexual mores certainly makes Northern Ireland culturally distinct from Britain. But that distinctiveness is founded on the greater importance of religion in the province, not on denominational differences."

There are groups within Northern Ireland who would argue that abortion is always wrong. There are others who would argue that it is only wrong in certain circumstances and others still who say it is a matter of choice for the woman concerned.

In May 1980 the 'Northern Ireland Abortion Campaign' was set up after the death of a woman as a direct result of a back street abortion. Campaigners set about trying to gain the extension of the 1967 Act to Northern Ireland. They did not succeed in this but the campaign did raise the issue in public debate. Since the 1990's another group has formed to campaign not only for legislation but also to raise the issue for debate; this group is called 'Alliance for Choice'.

The pro-abortion lobby argues that despite being citizens and taxpayers of the UK, women from Northern Ireland are not entitled to a free NHS abortion in England, Scotland or Wales. They have to pay up to £2,000 for a private abortion as well as their travel and accommodation costs and this makes abortion a class issue available only to those who can afford it.
They also state that each year around 2,000 women from Northern Ireland travel to obtain an abortion. It's estimated that since 1967 around 80,000 women have been forced to leave their own country to access a healthcare service that is freely available in the rest of the UK.
Moreover, it has to be noticed that if a woman has an illegal abortion in Northern Ireland she can be jailed for life.

On the other hand, the following organisations oppose the extension of the 1967 Act to Northern Ireland:
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Free Presbyterian Church
- Northern Ireland Unionist Party
- Presbyterian Church in Ireland
- Roman Catholic Church
- Social Democratic and Labour Party
- Ulster Unionist Party

"In doing so we will be seeking to maintain and preserve the fundamental integrity of humanity which goes to the heart of human values and the protection of life", said SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness.

In your opinion, is abortion always wrong? Why? Who do you think should determine whether abortion is right or wrong and do they have the authority to make that judgment? What of the woman's view?

Let us know what are your thoughts regarding this issue in the forum.

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