Choice Ireland

Choice Ireland has described as “deeply disappointing” the Irish government’s response to UN recommendations on reproductive rights, published today in the Outcome Report on Ireland's Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

While the government accepted the recommendation to improve access and education relating to contraception, it rejected all recommendations on the subject of abortion.

Spokesperson Sinéad Ahern said:

“We are unsurprised that the government rejected calls to bring Ireland’s abortion laws in line with the rest of Europe, or even to allow abortion in cases of rape or risk to the woman’s health. However, it is deeply disappointing that the government refused to accept even the minimum recommendation to legislate for the European Court of Human Rights decision in the ABC case.

“The refusal to even examine this recommendation is an ominous sign. It is difficult to reconcile with Minister Shatter’s promise last week to comply with the requirements of the European Convention.

“It also contradicts the government’s support for the recommendation to ‘ensure the principle of equality and non-discrimination while guaranteeing the enjoyment of the right to health’. Women’s right to health cannot be guaranteed, and particularly not on the basis of equality and non-discrimination, as long as women can be denied access to even life-saving abortions unless they can afford to travel.” ENDS