Abortion in Northern Ireland: the political barriers to abortion law reform

Abstract

I am interested in exploring the unique relationship between abortion and politics in Northern Ireland. In NI attempts to amend abortion law have been held hostage by parties across the political divide in Stormont. Westminster continue to view abortion as an issue for devolution rather than of fundamental human rights. Despite being UK citizens, NI women seeking abortion in Great Britain are not funded by the NHS- the current law disproportionately impacts women from lower socioeconomic groups. Despite the recent High Court ruling that the current law is incompatible with the ECHR- Stormont MLAs rejected amendments to allow for abortion in instances of fatal foetal abnormality and in cases of pregnancy through rape or incest. There has been a recent rise in prosecutions against women for taking abortion pills bought online- this has created a climate of fear- women are impacted by stigma within communities and from healthcare professionals.