NI abortion law: NIHRC to begin legal challenge

Northern Ireland's abortion legislation is to be challenged in court by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC).

It is seeking a change in the law to allow abortion in cases of rape, incest or "serious malformation" of a foetus.

Northern Ireland's abortion law differs from the rest of the UK.

Currently, abortion is only legal if a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health.

The NIHRC said that it in its view, the existing law is "a violation of human rights".

In a statement, it said it has "repeatedly advised" Northern Ireland's Department of Justice (DOJ) of this view since April 2013 and has now notified the department that it intends to issue legal proceedings in the High Court.

The DOJ criticised the commission's move and described the legal action as "ill-timed and unnecessary."

The department has recently recommended a change in the law to allow abortion in cases where the foetus has a lethal abnormality.

It is currently running a public consultation on the issue, and has also asked for opinions on whether abortion should be legalised in cases of rape.

Justice Minister David Ford has not made any recommendation on the issue of termination in the case of sexual crimes.

The NIHRC statement said: "The recent consultation published by the DOJ does not commit to making the changes that are necessary.

"It deals with cases of lethal foetal abnormality while only seeking public opinion on cases of sexual crime including rape and incest."

In a statement, a DOJ spokesperson said: "The minister for justice is consulting the public on abortion, with a view to the elected assembly debating and passing legislation on this sensitive subject."

They added that the ongoing public consultation was the "correct forum in which a respected human rights institution can make its views known".

"An appropriate process is therefore under way which is seeking to review and adjust the current law. The legal action being taken by the NIHRC is therefore ill-timed and unnecessary," the DOJ spokesperson said.

The commission said it recognised "the sensitivities" of its legal challenge.

However, it added: "Given the vulnerability of women and girls in these situations, the commission considers it appropriate to use its powers and bring this legal challenge in its own name."

Anti-abortion campaign group Precious Life said it planned to fight NIHRC's legal challenge through the courts "to ensure that the rights of the unborn child will be protected in law, policy and practice in Northern Ireland".

The organisation's director, Bernadette Smyth, said: "This move of the NIHRC is undemocratic, and Precious Life calls on the Northern Ireland Assembly to vigorously oppose any change in legislation that would destroy Northern Ireland's unborn children."

Last month, a group of parents whose children had been diagnosed with "life-limiting" medical conditions took their anti-abortion campaign to Stormont.

Organised by the Every Life Counts support group, the campaign opposes any liberalisation of the existing abortion law and calls on the health authorities to provide better perinatal hospice care for terminally ill babies and their families.