Public outrage follows Alabama’s abortion ban vote

Northern Ireland’s near total abortion ban back in spotlight

“The UK Government’s silence on the situation in Northern Ireland is putting the UK in the same camp as those US states pushing women’s reproductive health back into the dark ages” – Grainne Teggart

Responding to the vote in Alabama to enact a near-total abortion ban across the state, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty UK’s Northern Ireland campaign manager, said:  

“It’s devastating news that Alabama has become the latest in a string of US states to enact a horrifying abortion ban. The roll-back on reproductive rights in the US is happening at a terrifyingly rapid rate.

“We should be outraged by this, but let’s also remember that in the UK we’re no better – women in Northern Ireland are subjected to one of the most severe abortion bans in the world which also carries criminal penalties of up to life imprisonment. It’s shameful that that our Government is allowing such a violation of reproductive rights to continue to blight the lives of so many.

“The UK Government’s silence on the situation in Northern Ireland is putting the UK in the same camp as those US states pushing women’s reproductive health back into the dark ages. We should be leading on this issue, not lagging behind. We call on the Government to stop ignoring the cruel reality of our law and urgently legislate for change so that the harm caused is brought to an end.”