Safe and Legal (in Ireland) Abortion Rights Campaign Welcomes Drop in UK Figures, Calls For Safe and Legal Abortion in Ireland

PRESS RELEASE:
for immediate release Tuesday June 19th 2007

Abortion Rights Campaign Welcomes Drop in UK Figures, But That Available Statistics Do Not Reflect True Picture.

The Safe and Legal (in Ireland) Abortion Rights Campaign has said today (19.6.07) that the decrease in UK abortion figures for women with an address in the Republic of Ireland is welcome but that the fall is due to women travelling to other European countries. According to the 2006 figures released today by the UK Department of Health, 5,042 women travelled from Ireland to obtain an abortion a decrease of 543 on 2005.

Spokesperson Natalie McDonnell said 'The Safe and Legal (in Ireland) Abortion Rights Campaign understands the need for women to travel abroad to obtain abortions given the current, almost blanket, prohibition on abortion in Ireland. We call for abortion to be made safe and legal in Ireland for those who may need it. In our opinion, the Irish Government needs to face up to the reality of abortion and end the hypocrisy of exiling women to Britain, and other European countries in search of abortion procedures.'

The Campaign notes that 'Irish women are travelling in greater numbers to the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries due to the prohibitive sterling-euro differential. Abortions in the UK can cost up to £1,300, with additional costs for travel and accommodation'.

Under current Irish law, a woman faces life imprisonment for obtaining an abortion in Ireland. Currently three Irish women known as A, B and C, have lodged a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights claiming the abortion laws are a violation of their human rights.

See Tables 12b and 12 c of the UK Abortion Stats 2006 pdf attached

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/DH_4032043

http://www.safeandlegalinireland.ie/ http://safeandlegal.blogspot.com/

for further information contact:
Safe and Legal (in Ireland) Abortion Rights Campaign
Telephone: 087 0559913
email: safeandlegalinireland@eircom.net