Menu
10/06/2015
Amnesty Report Claims Pregnant Women 'At Risk' In Ireland
Ireland should change the law to allow women and girls access to safe, legal abortions, Amnesty International has said.
In a report published by the charity, Amnesty said that pregnant women and girls are putting their health and lives in danger "if they remain in Ireland".
Amnesty said that their report, 'She Is Not A Criminal: The Impact of Ireland's Abortion Law', documents "shocking cases" of Irish authorities denying women and girls necessary healthcare in order to prioritise the life of the foetus – which is protected by an amendment to Ireland's constitution added in 1983.
The report states: "Only allowing abortion if the woman's life is at risk, Ireland's abortion law is one of the most restrictive in the world, forcing at least 4,000 women and girls to travel outside the country for an abortion every year at considerable mental, financial and physical cost.
"Women and girls who cannot travel are left without access to necessary health treatment, or risk criminal penalties if they undergo illegal abortions at home."
Amnesty International's Secretary General, Salil Shetty, said: "The recent Marriage Equality referendum showed a country that prides itself on being an open and inclusive society, but all is not well in the Republic of Ireland. The human rights of women and girls are violated on a daily basis because of a constitution that treats them like child-bearing vessels.
"Women and girls who need abortions are treated like criminals, stigmatized and forced to travel abroad, taking a serious toll on their mental and physical health. The Irish state can no longer ignore this reality, and the appalling impact it is having on thousands of people every year."
The report can be read in full here.
(MH/JP)
In a report published by the charity, Amnesty said that pregnant women and girls are putting their health and lives in danger "if they remain in Ireland".
Amnesty said that their report, 'She Is Not A Criminal: The Impact of Ireland's Abortion Law', documents "shocking cases" of Irish authorities denying women and girls necessary healthcare in order to prioritise the life of the foetus – which is protected by an amendment to Ireland's constitution added in 1983.
The report states: "Only allowing abortion if the woman's life is at risk, Ireland's abortion law is one of the most restrictive in the world, forcing at least 4,000 women and girls to travel outside the country for an abortion every year at considerable mental, financial and physical cost.
"Women and girls who cannot travel are left without access to necessary health treatment, or risk criminal penalties if they undergo illegal abortions at home."
Amnesty International's Secretary General, Salil Shetty, said: "The recent Marriage Equality referendum showed a country that prides itself on being an open and inclusive society, but all is not well in the Republic of Ireland. The human rights of women and girls are violated on a daily basis because of a constitution that treats them like child-bearing vessels.
"Women and girls who need abortions are treated like criminals, stigmatized and forced to travel abroad, taking a serious toll on their mental and physical health. The Irish state can no longer ignore this reality, and the appalling impact it is having on thousands of people every year."
The report can be read in full here.
(MH/JP)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
Call For Education On Violence Against Women And Girls
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, has been challenged by the SDLP on the proposed introduction of mandatory education around violence against women and girls in schools.
03 March 2014
Bacik Launches Events To Celebrate International Women's Week
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik today launched a programme of events to celebrate International Women's Week at Trinity College Dublin, alongside Sheelan Yousefizadeh, a student activist on human rights in Iran. The theme designated by the United Nations for International Women's Day this year (8th March) is that of 'Women Inspiring Change'.
Bacik Launches Events To Celebrate International Women's Week
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik today launched a programme of events to celebrate International Women's Week at Trinity College Dublin, alongside Sheelan Yousefizadeh, a student activist on human rights in Iran. The theme designated by the United Nations for International Women's Day this year (8th March) is that of 'Women Inspiring Change'.
21 February 2012
The Irish Cancer Charity Launches Advertising Campaign
The Irish Cancer Society has launched its first major advertising campaign aimed specifically at young women who smoke. The Irish Cancer Society is concerned by the high level of female smokers under-35 and believes that the number of tobacco related diseases in women is reaching epidemic proportions.
The Irish Cancer Charity Launches Advertising Campaign
The Irish Cancer Society has launched its first major advertising campaign aimed specifically at young women who smoke. The Irish Cancer Society is concerned by the high level of female smokers under-35 and believes that the number of tobacco related diseases in women is reaching epidemic proportions.
27 August 2008
Third Of Irish Births Outside Marriage
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show a third of Irish babies were born outside marriage last year. The statistics revealed by the CSO detail the death and birth patterns for the whole Sate. According to the figures, over two in five births in 2007 were to first time mothers, with 33% of births outside marriage.
Third Of Irish Births Outside Marriage
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show a third of Irish babies were born outside marriage last year. The statistics revealed by the CSO detail the death and birth patterns for the whole Sate. According to the figures, over two in five births in 2007 were to first time mothers, with 33% of births outside marriage.
01 September 2014
Over 42,000 Girls Receive HPV Cervical Cancer Vaccine
More than 42,000 girls have been immunised as part of the HPC vacciniation campaign, according to the HSE. The routine programme for first year girls during 2012/2013 has been well received with an uptake rate of 84% for the three vaccine doses, well above the target of 80% uptake rate.
Over 42,000 Girls Receive HPV Cervical Cancer Vaccine
More than 42,000 girls have been immunised as part of the HPC vacciniation campaign, according to the HSE. The routine programme for first year girls during 2012/2013 has been well received with an uptake rate of 84% for the three vaccine doses, well above the target of 80% uptake rate.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
