Tracy Harkin, spokesperson for the Iona Institute NI, states “The pro choice lobby’s call for complete decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland is radical, reckless and chilling in the extreme. These calls have intensified this week as the Women and Equalities Commission begin their consultation into NI abortion law. Any legitimate consultation must not white wash the dire consequences this radical move would have.” She added, “Complete decriminalisation would make the unborn child in law a non-person with no legal protection throughout any stage of pregnancy. Decriminalisation would mean no protection against discrimination on grounds of disability or sex-selective abortion, no guidelines regarding pain relief for babies enduring late-term abortions, and no humane burial rights for babies’ remains.”

Tracy continues “Babies that may survive late-term abortions could legally be left to die. The pro choice lobby continually ignore these disturbing realities in pursuit of a radical ideology of ‘choice’ that has gotten completely out of control. If this consultation and the media reporting is to have any shred of balance over the next few days it would do well to ask pro choice advocates how on earth stripping the unborn child of all legal protections can be defended,” she said.

“As everyone knows laws have penalties because they seek to protect something or someone that is worth protecting. If Amnesty and others have their way it would mean that for the first time in Northern Ireland the offspring of wildlife would have more protection than human beings growing and kicking in their mother’s womb.” She added, “Surely a culture which upholds the life, health, and dignity of both mothers and their preborn babies is worth protecting.”

“The people of Northern Ireland have no desire for such an extreme measure. Tackling the socio-economic pressures on vulnerable pregnant women which propel most towards the tragedy of abortion should be our real focus.”

Ends