‘Medieval’ Irish abortion laws under threat

[bugibba]

From The Sunday Times
July 12, 2009

‘Medieval’ Irish abortion laws under threat

A pro-choice campaigner wears a sticker during protests outside the Houses of Parliament, in London
Stephen Dunne

A Swedish political party has described Ireland’s abortion laws as “medieval” and “terrifying” and will attempt to use the Lisbon treaty to have the procedure recognised as a human right throughout the EU.

Birgitta Ohlsson of the Swedish Liberal party, a member of her country’s coalition government, has launched a group called Make Noise for Free Choice. It plans to obtain the 1m signatures required for its demands to be considered by the European commission under the terms of the “citizens’ initiative” proposed under the new EU treaty.

Continued HERE: ‘Medieval’ Irish abortion laws under threat - Times Online

[seabhcan]

There is a thread on this somewhere already.

They might get the signatures but the petition will be rejected by the EC because they have no power to change our abortion laws.

[Question R24U]

Best of luck to her with that, and isn't good of the Murdoch press to highlight it.

Of course, if abortion is recognised as a human right, i suppose the State will have to provide it free or pay for it, for medical card holders.

[seabhcan]

Best of luck to her with that, and isn't good of the Murdoch press to highlight it.

Of course, if abortion is recognised as a human right, i suppose the State will have to provide it free or pay for it, for medical card holders.

A 'human right' could only be adopted by a change to the EU treaties. Rights are codified in the charter of Fundamental rights. Ireland, Poland and Malta could veto any such change.

Anyway, if it was a 'right', as in the US, then states would presumably be forbidden from imposing term limits on this right - which would conflict with the laws and constitutions of most member states.

[eurosceptic]

So much for those who said lisbon had nothing to do with abortion.

[eurosceptic]

These guys seem to think they have a legal leg to stand on despite the maastrict protocol and "legal guarantees". Perhaps the irish lisbon yes campaign can convince them.

[eurosceptic]

Glad the sunday times is still with us.

[East Coast Elitist]

A 'human right' could only be adopted by a change to the EU treaties. Rights are codified in the charter of Fundamental rights. Ireland, Poland and Malta could veto any such change.

Anyway, if it was a 'right', as in the US, then states would presumably be forbidden from imposing term limits on this right - which would conflict with the laws and constitutions of most member states.

It isn't a "right to abortion," it's a right to privacy.

[Panopticon]

Abortion not a right in the ECHR or Charter so irrelevant. Irish abortion laws protected by guarantees so irrelevant. Role of Lisbon in facilitating irrelevant petition is irrelevant.

For the pro-life movement, on the other hand, European treaties offer the only thing about which they can organise, so they are very relevant, even if they have to exaggerate and lie to get people out (e.g. 4 July)

[corelli]

It is possible that access to abortion services may be defined as a human right under articles of the CFR and/or a ECJ ruling which defined abortion as a service.
This will not force Ireland to allow abortion services but, if introduced, it will put us under increasing pressure especially as the EU is entitled to take action against countries which do not allow human rights. The question may be whether we can withstand such pressure and remain in the inner circle.
In any case, Lisbon appears to be the first serious vehicle to attempt an overturn of our abortion laws. Coupled with the similar IFPA appeal to the ECHR it will all serve to ratchet up the focus on Ireland.

That ECtHR case you quote relates to a Polish woman who was refused an abortion in Poland, though abortion is legal there, even though she was told a birth would possible mean she lost her sight. She did as a result of ECHR said her rights were violated. How is that worthy of comment? Abortion was already legal in Poland in such circumstances but they refused her one and she went blind, thus she won her case.