Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Edward Carson statue at the grounds of Stormont Parliament buildings in Belfast. Niall Carson via PA

Sinn Féin to oppose DUP's motion against abortion in cases of non-fatal disabilities

The motion “rejects the imposition of abortion legislation which extends to all non-fatal disabilities, including Down’s syndrome”.

SINN FÉIN IS to vote against a motion to be put forward by the DUP this evening, relating to abortion laws that came into force in March of this year.

Today’s vote is a motion – meaning that it cannot change laws, but only indicate support for or against a particular issue. 

The motion reads:

That this Assembly welcomes the important intervention of disability campaigner Heidi Crowter and rejects the imposition of abortion legislation which extends to all non-fatal disabilities, including Down’s syndrome.

Heidi Crowter is a Down’s syndrome advocate, who has called the abortion laws “hurtful” and “discriminatory”, as they allow for abortion in cases of non-fatal disabilities, including Down’s syndrome.

Crowter said: “Boris Johnson’s government did not have to introduce abortion for babies with Down’s syndrome up to birth to Northern Ireland. They chose to do this.

“That’s both hurtful and offensive. My life has as much value as anyone else’s.

“I am asking all MLA’s (Members of the Legislative Assembly) to reject Westminster’s regulations – please don’t vote for more discrimination against people like me.” 

Westminster liberalised Northern Ireland’s abortion laws to bring them in line with the rest of the UK, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive that had collapsed over 3 years ago.

The DUP were against the North’s abortion laws being liberalised, while Sinn Féin supported the laws being brought in line with both Ireland and the UK. 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said on Twitter that they would be voting against the DUP’s motion:

“Sinn Féin opposes and will vote against the DUP motion this evening. Sinn Féin actively supported Repeal The 8th and the subsequent legislation.

“Sinn Féin wants those same rights secured for women in the South to be delivered in the North. Nobody left behind.”

Tweet by @Mary Lou McDonald Mary Lou McDonald / Twitter Mary Lou McDonald / Twitter / Twitter

DUP East Belfast MLA Joanne Bunting, who tabled the motion alongside colleagues, said:

“Heidi has written to all MLAs outlining how offensive the abortion regulations, imposed by Westminster, are to people with disabilities. Heidi was born with Down’s syndrome. These abortion regulations discriminate against people with disabilities.

It is not right that an abortion can be legal up to full term just because the baby has Down’s syndrome. That sends an awful message to every child with Down’s in Northern Ireland.

“We want to value every life and ensure there is the support within our health and social care for women in crisis pregnancies.

“These regulations are extreme. The most extreme in the British Isles. They should not have been rushed through Westminster but should have been a matter for the devolved administration.”

- with reporting from the Press Association

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
43 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vladimir Macro
    Favourite Vladimir Macro
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 8:08 PM

    Type debunked into the Journal search bar.

    A theme emerges

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 8:29 PM

    @Vladimir Macro: yup, coronavirus. It’s kind of a big deal, you may have heard of it.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sheridan
    Favourite Niall Sheridan
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 8:06 PM

    I was amazed when I first saw racism in the British NHS in the late 70s. Only in the 90s did I personally experience it as an Irishman from an Englishman in Canada. It was in Fire and I later became chief and had the pleasure of firing him over a serious service issue.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Micheál
    Favourite Micheál
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 8:34 PM

    @Niall Sheridan:
    Good on you Niall

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Fitzgibbons
    Favourite Tom Fitzgibbons
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Niall Sheridan: looks like karma came and gave him a big bite in the arse.

    11
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Fahey
    Favourite Sean Fahey
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 9:02 PM

    @Niall Sheridan: good man, Niall. Who’s the daft Mick now?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert O’H
    Favourite Robert O’H
    Report
    Jun 2nd 2020, 10:37 PM

    Fascism is spelled wrong in the picture.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 3rd 2020, 6:33 AM

    @Robert O’H: ha hahaha, so it is.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds