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More than 10,000 signatures have been collected in 48 hours against the liberalization of Northern Ireland\u2019s abortion laws, it has been claimed.<\/p>\nMore than 10,000 signatures have been collected in 48 hours against the liberalization of Northern Ireland\u2019s abortion laws, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n
The signatures were included in a letter to British Prime Minister Theresa May calling for politicians and the public in the region to be consulted before any changes are made to abortion legislation.<\/p>\n
It comes after MPs voted last week to change Northern Ireland\u2019s restrictive laws around abortion and introduce same-sex marriage if devolution is not restored at Stormont by October 21.<\/p>\n
The amendments to a Northern Ireland Bill were tabled by Labour MPs Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn.<\/p>\n
As the law stands in the region, abortion is available only in very limited circumstances and same-sex marriage remains illegal.<\/p>\n
The letter to Mrs May was written by ex-police ombudsman Baroness Nuala O\u2019Loan and Lord Robin Eames, the former Church of Ireland primate, in support of an amendment laid down at the House of Lords debate on the Bill<\/p>\n
The amendment is set to be debated in the Lords this week.<\/p>\n
Peter Lynas, director of Evangelical Alliance NI, said Christians and those without faith oppose changes to abortion laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbortion is one of the most sensitive political, moral and social issues of our time, especially in Northern Ireland where it is a devolved matter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe object strongly to what happened last week, both in terms of the process and the substance of the motions passed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so encouraged however that in the space of less than 48 hours over the bank holiday weekend, over 10,000 people have joined Baroness O\u2019Loan and Lord Eames in calling on the Prime Minster to make sure there is a public consultation before any change is made to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that many churches brought this issue to the attention of their congregations yesterday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe result is that people from right across the Christian denominations and those of no faith have been motivated by a deep desire to see both women and unborn children protected.\u201d<\/p>\n
However Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland campaigns manager for Amnesty UK, said recent opinion polls indicate people in the region want to see abortion laws changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuccessive opinion polls and studies have consistently shown that the majority of the Northern Irish public are in favour of abortion law reform, including decriminalization,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA recent poll commissioned by Amnesty demonstrates that 66% want to see Westminster legislate for change in the absence of devolved government. In a recent Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey, 70% of the public said they are pro-choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe vote in the Commons last week reflects the will of the Northern Ireland public and it is right that Westminster brings about long overdue change.<\/p>\n
\u201cFew would disagree that women should continue to be blocked from accessing this healthcare including in circumstances where there is a risk to health.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis week is critical in delivering long overdue reform.\u201d<\/p>\n