Landmark court decision finds NI abortion law ‘breaches human rights’

A court has ruled that Northern Ireland’s abortion laws violate people’s human rights – ahead of upcoming legal action on same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage is legal in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland – but Northern Ireland’s DUP has used peace powers to veto the issue despite a parliamentary majority in favour.

Activists in the country are now taking the battle to the courts, alleging that the country is in violation of human rights laws by banning same-sex marriage.

Ahead of the expected marriage case, the country saw another landmark human rights ruling today – as the Belfast High Court ruled that the country’s abortion laws breach the European Convention on Human Rights.

At current, Northern Ireland only allows abortion if the mother’s life is at risk.

Mr Justice Horner said the rule violated the rights of women who had been victims of sexual assault, incest or fatal foetal abnormalities.

and cases of fatal foetal abnormality were entitled to exemptions in the law.

He said that “in the circumstances, given this issue is unlikely to be grasped by the legislature in the foreseeable future, and the entitlement of the citizens of Northern Ireland to have their [European Convention on Human] rights protected by the

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which previously successfully challenged the country’s gay adoption ban, brought about the abortion case.

• Dec 01 2023

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