New Report Reveals Irish Abortion Law is an Affront to Human Rights

A new report entitled “A State of Isolation: Access to Abortion for Women in Ireland”, released today by Human Rights Watch, reveals how the Irish Government actively seeks to restrict access to abortion services and information. Marie Stopes International makes the following statement:

“Marie Stopes International welcomes the publication of the Human Rights Watch report, which highlights the stigmatisation and violation faced by women forced to travel overseas from the Irish Republic to access a safe abortion, as a result of Ireland's draconian abortion law.

“Unwanted pregnancy is a risk for any woman of reproductive age. Thousands of women call Marie Stopes International’s 24/7 advice line every year to access information on the options available to them when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, since unbiased information can be difficult to access in Ireland. Women who choose to end their pregnancy are then forced to travel to access the procedure. In 2008, 2723 women from the Irish Republic travelled to a Marie Stopes International clinic in England to access an abortion.

“Ireland’s restrictive abortion law denies women a common medical procedure which in many countries is part of everyday healthcare. Forcing women to travel for abortion burdens women, their partners and families financially, due to travel costs, and emotionally, by ensuring abortion is surrounded by controversy and not talked about in everyday conversation.

"We at Marie Stopes International believe that all women should be able to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. They need information about and access to the full range of family planning services, including abortion, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether and when to have children, without being demonised for doing so. We hope that the publication of the report, which highlights that the Irish Government is violating women’s basic right to plan their family, urges the Government to decriminalise abortion and bring about much needed change.”

- Ends -

All quotes attributable to Anne Quesney, Policy & Parliamentary Adviser - UK / Europe, Marie Stopes International.

Anne Quesney is available for interview and further comment; please contact the Marie Stopes International press office:
Emily James, Deputy Manager UK Press and Public Affairs: +44 (0) 207 034 2307 / emily.james@mariestopes.org.uk
Tony Kerridge, Senior Communications Manager: +44 (0) 207 034 2365 / tony.kerridge@mariestopes.org.uk

For further information on the report please contact Human Rights Watch: www.hrw.org

Categories: Ireland; Abortion

28/01/2010

New Report Reveals Irish Abortion Law is an Affront to Human Rights

« Back to list