Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Friday 17°CSaturday 22°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
NewsPolitics

Updated news: Human rights commission loses abortion law change appeal

written by John June 7, 2018
ShareTweet

HUMAN rights campaigners have lost a Supreme Court appeal over the legality of abortion laws in the North of Ireland.

The court dismissed an appeal brought by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC).

But a majority of judges said the existing law, the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861, was incompatible with human rights law in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and sexual crime, including rape and incest.

The commission lost on the issue of whether they had the required standing to bring the case.

This, judges said, would have required the case being brought by a woman who was pregnant as a result of sexual crime or who was carrying a foetus with a fatal abnormality.

As a result, the judges did not make a formal declaration of incompatibility, which would normally lead to a change in the law.

Any change in the law will now be up to the politicians, either in Belfast or Westminster.

Deputy Supreme Court president Lord Mance said the present law on abortion in the North of Ireland “clearly needs radical consideration”.

Lord Justice Kerr said that, by a majority of five to two: “The court has expressed the clear view that the law of Northern Ireland on abortion is incompatible with article 8 of the Convention in relation to cases of fatal foetal abnormality and by a majority of four to three that it is also incompatible with that article in cases of rape and incest”.

He added that while this was not a binding decision, “it must nevertheless be worthy of close consideration by those” who decide the law.

The court’s ruling this morning has divided political opinion.

Sinn Fein MLA Megan Fearon tweeted: “Disappointing result at #SupremeCourt this morning but important comments from judges finding law incompatible with #HumanRights. Court may have ruled they had no standing, but we can act & so can both governments. Time for change!”

The DUP, who support retaining the North of Ireland’s abortion law, welcomed the court’s decision.

Paul GIvan MP tweeted: “Human Rights Commission took a case through the Courts that the UK Supreme Court has found it didn’t even have the authority to take.

“How much did this cost the taxpayer and who will be held accountable?”

Party colleague Ian Paisley MP tweeted in response: “They were not expecting that result.”

 

Updated news: Human rights commission loses abortion law change appeal was last modified: June 8th, 2018 by John

Tags:
Lord Justice KerrNI HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONPaul Givan MPSUPREME COURTUpdated news: Human rights commission loses abortion law change appeal
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

McLaughlin participates in global summit on women,...

11 hours ago

Durkan: Dire budget cuts will cause endless...

12 hours ago

Police investigate damage to car in Derry

12 hours ago

Higgins: We need to come out fighting...

13 hours ago

Twelve fantastic gift ideas for Father’s Day

13 hours ago

Date unveiled for Derry Girls exhibition in...

15 hours ago

Council invites applications for Leisure and Sport...

17 hours ago

Durkan calls for reduced leisure membership for...

17 hours ago

O’Neill: Support a new deal for unpaid...

1 day ago

Barr: More must be done to tackle...

1 day ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022
  • Glenapp Castle: Only a few miles from home but a million miles away

    December 20, 2021
  • DD Travel Feature: The Unsung Shores of Portugal

    November 12, 2021

Courts

  • Top Derry dissident in court over counter-terrorism offences

    June 7, 2023
  • McLaughlin: Victims paying the price for collapsing justice system

    June 6, 2023
  • Alliance start legal challenge over Derry election count

    June 6, 2023
  • Ex-footballer Paddy McCourt guilty of sexual assault

    May 31, 2023
  • Two men charged to Derry court over driving offences

    May 31, 2023

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2023 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top