First female leader of Northern Ireland promised to prevent the Abortion Act being extended to the region. The statement of Arlene Foster ignited a legal clash between the government and pro-choice advocates in the courts.
On Monday, The Guardian reported that the female leader intends to maintain the Democratic Unionist Party's opposition to any reform of the region's strict abortion laws. Few citizens of Ireland considers the law ignominious and shameful.
Arlene Foster who was elected as the Democratic Unionist Party leader also stressed that she would not want abortion to be as freely available in Ireland as it is in England. Even before her unopposed victory in the election, Arlene Foster was already adamant about her stand against supporting the extension of the 1967 act.
Until now the pro-choice advocates are still disappointed because Abortion Act 1967 still not applicable to Northern Ireland today. Termination of pregnancy is only allowed if a woman's life is in danger or there is a permanent or severe treat to her physical or mental health. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) brought the case to court to legalize and extend abortion to serious fetal malformation, incest, or rape.
According to police investigation, there have been 28 cases of people suspected of procuring an abortion in Northern Ireland since 2000. And in 2006, 1 woman and 10 men have been investigated for the offense. One of those men was convicted in 2010. Meanwhile, in 2013-2014, the numbers of legal abortions in Northern Ireland reached 23.
Numbers of Irish women reported their experiences in trying to seek an abortion. The women are said to travel to England if they are seeking for an abortion and they were also required to pay to the NHS. Some women, who were less than nine weeks pregnant, bought pills on the internet illegally to induce the termination of the baby.
Despite of the female leader's stand against extending the abortion act, Arlene Foster's acknowledgement of the court ruling held in November, suggests government officials and politicians in Northern Ireland are also preparing for judicial decisions. Foster said that it is impossible not to be moved by some couple's heartbreaking experiences. The leader also acknowledged the complexity of the issue and increasingly so as medical practice advances. "Along with executive colleagues I will be taking time to consider carefully Mr. Justice Horner's judgment." Foster added.
Foster declined to answer straightforward questions on whether she would accept limited exceptions to the almost-total ban on abortion in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, an alliance of Catholic churches and evangelical Protestants has ensured that Northern Ireland remains excluded from the notorious legislation.
