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Abortion in Northern Ireland

Abortion is healthcare and a human right. It has been 3 years since the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland- but commissioned abortion services are still not established.

Abortion rights are respected in law but not fully in practice. Our fight continues.

Abortion rights are respected in law but not fully in practice. Our fight continues.

Abortion in Ireland: the facts

Ireland has one of the world's most restrictive laws on abortion - women face long prison sentences if they go through with one.

So how many women are affected? Are the stories about travelling to Liverpool for a termination true? Are there any abortions in Ireland? Here's what you need to know.

Ireland’s abortion laws belong in the past

A law in Ireland is bringing needless suffering and even death to women living there.

The ban on abortion is one of the most restrictive laws of its kind in the world. It's denying women their health and their rights. It's time to change the law.
Blog

Travelling to England for an abortion was my only option

Jennifer and her husband were thrilled when they found out she was pregnant with their second child. Nothing could prepare them for the heartache that followed.

This is Jennifer's experience of having to travel from Ireland to England for a termination, after they found out that their foetus had no chance of surviving.
Project

Before Our Eyes

'Before Our Eyes' is a short film by Amnesty International UK with Olivia Colman and Adrian Lester to engage and educate the public on the very real threat to human rights in the UK.

Northern Ireland: UN Palestine expert to deliver annual Amnesty lecture on genocide

Francesca Albanese will give Amnesty Northern Ireland’s annual lecture on the topic of Israeli genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

UK: After 100 days in office Government must speed up pace of restoring human rights

Amnesty issues key human rights calls on asylum, Northern Ireland, arms to Israel, homelessness, and protests
Our everyday rights

Our Everyday Rights

We spoke to people in Scotland, Wales, and England to learn more about everyday rights violations in the UK. Our findings show how the social safety net is crumbling, leaving many people without their rights. Read the voices from the frontline of the fight for everyday rights for a more in-depth look at the reality of everyday rights violations in the UK.

UK: New human rights ad campaign launched at London underground station

Giant Westminster station posters feature yellow-and-black hazard tape with ‘a lot needs fixing’ message

UK: Call for Starmer government to put in place ‘human rights renaissance’

Call for ‘rights renaissance’, with to-do list including an immediate suspension of arms to Israel, scrapping of Rwanda Act, Troubles Act and anti-protest measures, and tackling homelessness crisis 

Can we expect the next government to Make Homelessness History?

Homelessness has worsened significantly since the last election. So why have most of the parties vying for power appear to dedicate much less word count and made far fewer concrete commitments in manifestos to tackling homelessness?

Read our analysis and what people experiencing homelessness tell us THEY want to see.
Abortion Rights

Briefing: Abortion Rights Submission to the Health and Sport Committee, Scotland (December 2023)

Our response to the 2023 Scottish Consultation on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill

USA: Social media companies' removal of abortion-related content may hinder access to abortion care - New Research

Since overturning of Roe v Wade, social media companies including Instagram and TikTok have restricted information on abortion access

UK: Secret tribunal on journalist surveillance is 'test case for press freedom'

London court hearing looking into claims the two Belfast journalists were secretly monitored by UK authorities

Northern Ireland: Judgment in landmark legal challenge to Troubles Act – press conference

Northern Ireland: Judgment in landmark legal challenge to Troubles Act – press conference 28 February 2024
Campaign

Presenting A Reality Check About Poverty In The UK Directly To The United Nations

The deepening conditions of poverty in the UK are a human rights violation. Now, people living through it have presented a powerful reality check directly to the United Nations.
Explainer

What Are Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR)?

Economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) are for individuals' well-being and dignity; and they are about the rights we need to live our lives on a daily basis, the food we eat, the homes we live in, the education we can offer to our kids.
Education

Amnesty Human Rights Academy: Learn About Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

This course covers the global scope of specific ESCR, including social security, housing, work, water, food, education and health. Take our course on how ESCR generally provide a basis to fight poverty and inequality, and receive an Amnesty International certificate.
Abortion care

Barriers to Abortion Access in Northern Ireland

In spite of the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, barriers to accessing abortion care remain

Northern Ireland: Four years on from decriminalisation abortion access 'a right but not reality' - new report

Obstacles include sporadic, under-resourced and understaffed services; conscience-based refusals, misinformation as well as pervasive stigma 

Global: People defending abortion rights are being 'stigmatised, abused, discriminated against, even killed' - major new report

Estimated 35 million unsafe abortions every year

USA: 'Victory' for abortion rights in Ohio must lead to meaningful access

No-one should ever be forced to carry a pregnancy against their will.