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The Stormont Assembly has voted in opposition to new abortion regulations that include terminations up to birth in cases of serious non-fatal disabilities.<\/p>\nThe Stormont Assembly has voted in opposition to new abortion regulations that include terminations up to birth in cases of serious non-fatal disabilities.<\/p>\n
The outcome of Tuesday evening\u2019s debate in the devolved legislature does not change the recently introduced liberalized abortion law in the region.<\/p>\n
A DUP motion rejecting the \u201cimposition\u201d of abortion regulations by Westminster passed by 46 votes to 40. One MLA abstained.<\/p>\n
Some SDLP, UUP and Alliance Party representatives voted with the DUP while others opposed it.<\/p>\n
While the motion rejected the new regulations in their entirety, it focused on the regulation that permits abortions up to birth in cases of severe disability.<\/p>\n
It referenced the campaign by disability rights activists Heidi Crowter, who has Down\u2019s Syndrome and who claims such laws are discriminatory.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in tabled an amendment that also called for the rejection of the non-fatal disability regulation, but did not include any demand for the broader regulations to be axed.<\/p>\n
That amendment was defeated 32 votes to 52, with three MLAs abstaining.<\/p>\n
MPs are due to vote on the abortion regulations, which were introduced in March, at Westminster later this month.<\/p>\n
If they are voted down the Government would face the prospect of having to redraw new regulations.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland\u2019s restrictive abortion laws were changed by MPs last year at a time when the Stormont Assembly was collapsed.<\/p>\n
DUP MLA Paul Givan welcomed the outcome of the debate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Assembly has now rejected these extreme abortion regulations on the basis of how they discriminate against the unborn especially those with disabilities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Givan said the regulations must be withdrawn.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe regulations imposed by Westminster have led to Northern Ireland having the most liberal abortion regime in Europe,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis approach undermined the devolution settlement, but worst of all facilitated the ending of so many precious lives. That is something that the majority of people here in Northern Ireland are against.\u201d<\/p>\n
From March 31, when the regulations were introduced, to May 22, a total of 129 abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in MLA Emma Sheerin said the DUP could not be allowed to \u201cblock access to modern, compassionate healthcare\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe motion as put forward by the DUP is quite obviously an attempt to undermine the entirety of the abortion provision which has thus far been put into law in the north of Ireland,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Sheerin said her party\u2019s amendment had been an attempt to \u201crefine\u201d the law, to bring it into line with regulations in the Republic.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cOur party position is one which calls for a compassionate and reasonable approach to healthcare, but not one that would see abortion treated as a mainstream, normal option.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some pro-choice campaigners had criticized Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s stance, claiming the party had undermined its advocacy of abortion reform on both sides of the border.<\/p>\n
Earlier, party president Mary Lou McDonald tweeted: \u201cSinn F\u00e9in wants those same rights secured for women in the South to be delivered in the North. Nobody left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the regulations abortion is legal in all circumstances in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.<\/p>\n
When the pregnancy poses a risk to the woman\u2019s physical or mental health the time limit is 24 weeks.<\/p>\n
Abortions are permitted at any time up to birth when there has been a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality or where the child is likely to suffer severe mental or physical impairment.<\/p>\n
The Assembly debate focused on that latter circumstance, involving non-fatal disabilities.<\/p>\n
Anti-abortion campaigners claim this discriminates against disabled people and allows for unlimited terminations for conditions such as Down\u2019s Syndrome.<\/p>\n
They welcomed the vote.<\/p>\n
Catherine Robinson, from Right to Life UK, said: \u201cTonight\u2019s vote has made it clear that the UK Government must urgently hand back this devolved matter to the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland at the Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UK Government and Westminster now have absolutely no mandate whatsoever to impose these extreme regulations on Northern Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, pro-choice organizations insisted the vote did not change the law.<\/p>\n
Grainne Teggart, from Amnesty International, said: \u201cThis motion has no impact on the abortion law or regulations in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough this sends a disappointing message that some MLAs are not willing to stand fully for human rights, women and girls should rest assured that the hard-won abortion reform remains intact.\u201d<\/p>\n