UN concludes that abortion should be available in Northern Ireland

31 July 2008

Reacting to the investigation findings by the United Nations Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and its continued concern that: “the 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland where, with limited exceptions, abortion continues to be illegal with detrimental consequences for women’s health”, published today, Dr Audrey Simpson, fpa Director Northern Ireland said:

“We welcome this statement from the United Nations. It’s further evidence for Westminster MPs who’ll be voting on an amendment to extend abortion to Northern Ireland in the autumn, that they must vote to support women and make abortion available. It also demonstrates that the Northern Ireland Assembly is failing in its legislative duties to tackle the discrimination of Northern Irish women by refusing to give them access to abortion in their own country.”

FPA Time for Change campaign for women's rights to abortion in Northern Ireland.

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For further information please contact Dr Audrey Simpson, 028 90 316 102 or 07985 382 702 or fpa’s press office on 020 7608 5265/5264. Mobile 07958 921060.

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

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