Women take abortion fight to Europe

THREE women living in Ireland are taking a case to the European Court of Human Rights seeking the introduction of abortion in Ireland.

The case will be taken on the grounds that their rights are being abused by the State due to the lack of abortion facilities in Ireland.

Each of the women had an abortion in the past year. Their case will form a central plank of the Irish Family Planning Association’s (IFPA) campaign, launched yesterday, which calls for the introduction of legal abortion.

British Ministry for Health statistics show that 6,217 women from Ireland travelled to Britain for abortions last year. The IFPA estimate that hundreds more travelled to the Netherlands, France and Spain where costs are lower.

The ‘Safe and Legal in Ireland’ campaign will involve the court case, political lobbying and a national and international advocacy drive.

Campaign spokeswoman Trinity College law lecturer Ivana Bacik said the IFPA has provided the women with the legal research and support to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

“It is our assessment that the grounds under which these woman are taking the case are very strong, and we hope that the case will advance quickly through the court, ultimately making a strong recommendation to the Government to address what, in our view, is a violation of human rights,” she said.

The women are arguing that their rights are being violated under Article 8 which relates to the right of privacy in all family, home and personal interests, and entitlement to no public interference from any public authority in exercising this right. They also allege a breach of:

* Article 3 which protects individuals from inhuman or degrading treatment.

* Article 2 which safeguards the life of an individual.

* Article 14 which affords rights and freedoms without discrimination.

It is being argued these are being flouted by forced travel, forced childbirth, danger to the pregnant woman’s life and discrimination on the grounds of sex and financial status.

IFPA chairperson Catherine Forde said the campaign was of “unique significance”, representing “the first major initiative aimed at moving forward on abortion in this country”.

“Since the first Constitutional referendum on abortion in 1983, Ireland has changed - more women living in Ireland access abortion services and more women feel angry and frustrated that they have to travel to Britain and other countries to secure these services. The only thing that has not changed is the lack of courage and leadership demonstrated by successive governments in dealing with abortion in a realistic and rational way,” Ms Forde said.

A 13-point policy on abortion was also published yesterday in which the IFPA stated that abortion is a decision that should be made by a woman in consultation with her medical adviser and that it is not an appropriate method of family planning.