In the Republic of Ireland, thanks to the Eighth Amendment to the constitution, abortion is almost entirely illegal. There are a few exceptions, only signed into law in 2013, which provide for a legal abortion in cases where the pregnant person’s life is at risk, but otherwise anyone who undergoes an abortion in-country can face up to 14 years in jail. (Remember how terrifying it was when Trump suggested there should be “some form” of punishment for women who get an abortion? Irish people are living that nightmare right now.)
The situation in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom (UK), is comparably awful. The penalty for procuring an abortion in Northern Ireland is life in prison, and their abortion ban also doesn’t include exceptions for rape or fatal fetal abnormalities.
Both countries have been repeatedly condemned by international organizations. For example, the Human Rights Watch wrote a devastating report on the Republic’s laws; the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Republic’s anti-abortion laws violated a woman’s constitutional rights; and a United Nations committee ordered the Republic to pay compensation to a woman who had to travel to the UK for her abortion, declaring that the country had violated her human rights.
These laws have also killed women. Savita Halappanavar died in a Galway hospital after doctors refused to induce or abort her fetus despite her overwhelming pain. When she requested an abortion, Halappanavar, a Hindu, was reportedly told that Ireland is “a Catholic country.”
The Irish Republic’s government has (reluctantly, vaguely, and after much pressure from activists) confirmed that a referendum on the issue will be held in 2018, after a 100-person Citizens’ Assembly recommended that the country legalize abortion in at least some cases. Northern Ireland, unfortunately, is under the thumb of a dangerous coalition between the anti-abortion DUP and Theresa May’s Tories.
It’s still unclear how the Republic’s referendum may turn out – and if voters don’t decide to overturn the Eighth Amendment, things could get worse. Currently, Irish people seeking abortions can fly to Scotland, Wales, or England in the nearby United Kingdom, which is part of the EU Common Travel Area, and get their medical treatment there. However, depending on how the Brexit negotiations are finalized, this may no longer be a possibility for citizens of the Republic once the UK leaves the EU. As a result, it’s more crucial than ever that the Republic of Ireland update its own laws.
And that’s why Irish people and their allies across the world showed up in the thousands to protest for abortion rights as part of the annual March for Choice. This is why we fight to protect our reproductive rights.
Favorite photo from #ARCMarch17 so far pic.twitter.com/946aS6L0f3#repealthe8th
— Michelle Duffy (@wandermom) September 30, 2017
let’s do this, pals 👌🏻 #repealthe8th #ARCmarch17 pic.twitter.com/3rlI1Gxa8N
— finrique iglesias (@motherofnaggins) September 29, 2017
A mark for every person who has travelled to the UK to access safe abortion. #repealthe8th #freesafelegal #marchforchoice #205kTravelled pic.twitter.com/15ukHx7SDG
— Fiona Longmuir 🍂 (@EscapologistFi) September 30, 2017
1983-2017
This campaign has been running for 34yrs. It needs to end now. LETS DO THIS!#marchforchoice #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/RGfAhYkaZk— Lady Brain (@MiriamKivlehan) September 29, 2017
The best sign pic.twitter.com/1W7ZGl9CxN
— Caoimhe (@caoimherrr) September 30, 2017
(Via The Irish Times; image via Marykate Jasper)
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