Campaigners demand X-case legislation before Dáil summer holidays

 

The Abortion Rights Campaign today launched 10 Days of Abortion Rights Action, which will take place around Ireland from 1st to 10th March. At a press conference in Dublin, the campaign called on the Government to enact X-case legislation as promised and demanded that this happen before the Dáil breaks for summer holidays on the 18th July.

As part of the 10 Days of Abortion Rights Action, tens of thousands of postcards will be sent from people in Ireland to their TDs. The postcards will remind Irish politicians that “women’s lives matter” and that the vast majority of the Irish population support the introduction of this legislation.

Sinéad Redmond of the Abortion Rights Campaign said: “There are 142 days until the Dáil takes its summer holidays. That’s 142 days in which women could die – women like you, your friend, your wife, sister, mother or partner. We demand legislation now.”

Dr Mary Favier of Doctors for Choice said: “When a woman’s life is at risk, it is essential that she gets the treatment she needs.”

As well as the national postcard campaign, the 10 Days of Abortion Rights Action will include film screenings, workshops, discussions, a feminist walking tour, rallies in Dublin and Cork, cultural events and street actions. For a full programme of events and to order or download postcards go to: www.abortionrightscampaign.ie

Women’s lives matter.

ENDS

For more information or comment, contact:

Sinéad Redmond (ARC) (085) 143 8679
Sarah Malone (ARC) (085) 216 3528
Rachel Donnelly (Galway) (086) 062 1503
Mary Favier (Doctors for Choice spokesperson) (087) 990 3738
Claire Brophy (Irish language spokesperson) (087) 760 1192
Stephanie Fleming (South western) (085) 749 3669

Notes to Editors

Content from new Abortion Rights Campaign leaflet:

What do we need from legislation on X?

60% of people in Ireland believe abortion is a woman’s right to choose. 85% of people support abortion when a woman’s life is at risk.*

It is now 21 years since the X case and several months since the death of Savita Halappanavar. Legislation to protect women’s lives must be in place by summer 2013.

Therefore:

1. We demand a clear timetable for this legislation: every day that goes by is another day that women’s lives are at risk.

2. Legislation on X must include:

a. State-wide access to an abortion when a pregnant woman’s life is at risk because of her physical or mental health.

b. That a practical assessment can be made by a pregnant woman and her doctor of a “real and substantial risk to the life of the pregnant woman” including suicide.

c. That an agreement between the pregnant woman and her GP that there is a threat to her life due to physical or mental health issues is sufficient grounds for abortion.

d. A simple, clear and easily accessible appeals process for a woman to take if she disagrees with her doctor’s decision. An appeals process should be speedy and should be available only to the pregnant woman and not to those who conscientiously object to her having an abortion.

e. A guarantee that doctors cannot refuse to care for a pregnant woman whose life is in immediate danger.

f. The repeal of criminal penalties for having or assisting an unlawful abortion. These penalties can interfere with medical consultations between a woman and her doctor.

Legislation on the X case is only a first step. We will continue to campaign for free, legal and safe abortion in Ireland, North and South. Therefore we also seek:

3. Provisions for termination when a foetus has a fatal abnormality and cannot survive.

4. A repeal of legislation that prevents women accessing abortion where their health is at risk. Abortion is a health issue, not a criminal issue.

*Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI Poll on attitudes to abortion 11/2/2013