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07/09/2017
NI Medics Who Refer Women To The UK For Abortions Will Not Face Prosecution
Medics in Northern Ireland who refer women for abortions to the UK will not face the threat of prosecution, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Barra McGrory QC told Amnesty International Northern Ireland that he can see no risk of criminal prosecution for NHS employees in NI who refer women to NHS hospitals and clinics in the rest of the UK.
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Campaigns Manager, said: "The threat of prosecution has long loomed over medical professionals in Northern Ireland, who have previously felt unable to refer women to other parts of the UK for abortion services for fear of criminal prosecution. This has acted as a significant barrier for women seeking to access abortion.
"The Public Prosecution Service has now stated clearly they can see no risk of criminal prosecution in these circumstances. This is hugely important and should relieve the profession of this chilling threat. This is a significant breakthrough in the fight for abortion rights here."
The Public Prosecution Service has also clarified to Amnesty that there is no offence in Northern Ireland criminal law of "advocating and promoting abortion" as suggested possible in the current guidance from the Department of Health on the termination of pregnancy, published in 2016.
(CD/JP)
Barra McGrory QC told Amnesty International Northern Ireland that he can see no risk of criminal prosecution for NHS employees in NI who refer women to NHS hospitals and clinics in the rest of the UK.
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Campaigns Manager, said: "The threat of prosecution has long loomed over medical professionals in Northern Ireland, who have previously felt unable to refer women to other parts of the UK for abortion services for fear of criminal prosecution. This has acted as a significant barrier for women seeking to access abortion.
"The Public Prosecution Service has now stated clearly they can see no risk of criminal prosecution in these circumstances. This is hugely important and should relieve the profession of this chilling threat. This is a significant breakthrough in the fight for abortion rights here."
The Public Prosecution Service has also clarified to Amnesty that there is no offence in Northern Ireland criminal law of "advocating and promoting abortion" as suggested possible in the current guidance from the Department of Health on the termination of pregnancy, published in 2016.
(CD/JP)
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