Alliance for Choice are disappointed to hear that we will continue without a devolved government for the foreseeable future. Arlene Foster has said,

“It is now incumbent upon Her Majesty’s Government to set a budget and start making policy decisions about our schools, hospitals and infrastructure. Important decisions impacting on everyone in Northern Ireland have been sitting in limbo for too long.”
Michelle O’Neill has talked of the “rights and equality available everywhere else in the islands.”

Alliance for Choice are in agreement with the DUP and Sinn Féin representatives as we have first-hand experience of the impact this continued limbo has on those needing to travel for abortions or those resorting to internet medicines on their own.

Co-Chair Emma Campbell said, “There has been no attempt to address the legal framework of abortion access in Northern Ireland, no movement on bringing abortion healthcare in Northern Ireland in line with World Health Organisation and United Nations committee, CEDAW’s minimum recommendations and finally no acknowledgement of the pain and heartache caused by the lack of abortion healthcare in this jurisdiction.

Kellie O’Dowd Co-Chair explained, “Despite the funding in place for Northern Irish abortion seekers to access treatment in England, this welcome progress would not be necessary if Westminster, as the state party responsible for the human rights of women, girls and pregnant people in Northern Ireland, remedied the legal bar to treatment in their home country.

Tens of thousands of women and their families have had to travel to England for abortions for over 50 years, perhaps this disappointing stalemate in our devolved Assembly will offer the UK government the opportunity to address this degrading treatment.

ENDS

Emma Campbell 07894063965

Kellie O’Dowd 07740362060