Pro-Life Victory in Ireland: Irish Pro-life Persistence Triumphs

Northern Ireland Health Department withdraws pro-abortion guidelines

Following a successful court battle to legally challenge a new set of pro-abortion guidelines for Northern Ireland, pro-life groups were informed on Monday that the health department has officially withdrawn the document which they had re-issued. Pro-life organizations have argued from the beginning that this document could be used to legalize abortion through the back door and persisted in their opposition. Their courage, fidelity and persistence prevented a governmental agency effort to overturn pro-life laws. Defense of Life continues.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Persistence and vigilance paid off in Northern Ireland as pro-life organizations faced a resolute governmental department that refused to accept a court ruling concerning their blatant pro-abortion guidelines in a province where abortions are not allowed.

In February of this year the Northern Ireland Health Department re-issued controversial guidelines that would have been detrimental to the protection of life and could actually overturn pro-life laws.

This is the second time these organizations had to battle the health department over abortion guidelines. In 2009, they won a significant victory when the Belfast High Court ordered a recall, finding that the guidelines failed to properly address issues such as conscientious objection to abortion and counseling on abortion.

However, in February health officials again introduced the same set of guidelines which explained the rare circumstances when abortions can be legally done. Pro-life organizations have argued from the beginning that this document could be used to legalize abortion through the back door and persisted in their opposition.

On Monday, much to everyone's surprise, a letter was sent to Jim Wells, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Health Committee, from the department announcing that it has withdrawn its interim guidelines on abortion and would be launching a public consultation.Liam Gibson, a Northern Ireland officer for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Liam Gibson of SPUC Northern Ireland told the media on Tuesday:

"We are very pleased that the health minister has withdrawn the interim guidance. This was the aim of the SPUC's application for a judicial review, due to be heard in September. The health minister has done the sensible thing by withdrawing the guidance. Otherwise he would have been ordered by the courts for a second time to withdraw it.

"When we challenged the original guidance in the High Court last year, the judge rejected a request from the department that it should be allowed to withdraw only the sections on counseling and conscientious objection. Health officials simply ignored this ruling. They quickly re-published the guidance with those sections left out. Otherwise the document was unchanged.

"Both the information given to women and the rights of medical personnel are central to clinical practice. We believe that any guidance which says nothing about these issues is fundamentally flawed, and should never have been published. The department finally seems to have accepted that.

"Until now, the health department has acted in a high-handed and belligerent manner regarding the guidance. The department appeared determined to pursue its own agenda, rather than apply the law. We will be working closely with pro-life members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and its health committee to ensure that the department's consultation does not result in the rights of women, unborn children or the medical profession being undermined."

The original decision from the Belfast High Court was rendered in November, 2009 after pro-life groups challenged the legality of the guidelines. According to the judge, Lord Justice Girvan, the guidelines needed to be absolutely clear and they were not. Lord Girvan indicated that the present version would be open to misinterpretation, as the language was "ambiguous" and "a trap to the unwary." He further stated that doctors and staff would also be unclear as to what was expected of them.

Pro-life groups challenged the validity of these guidelines as they avoided any mention that abortion remains a criminal offense in Northern Ireland. Further, the groups stated that the language was "misleading and legally inaccurate" leaving the door open for abortion on demand to enter the province by "bureaucratic stealth." The SPUC's Gibson said of this verdict, "We hope that the department will now take seriously many of the concerns which were largely disregarded when the guidelines were being drafted."

Following the February re-introduction of the guidelines by the health department, a Northern Ireland Court granted the SPUC approval in May to form a full legal challenge. The health department tried in vain to have this case dismissed.

The Christian Institute of Britain reported that outside the courthouse that day Gibson stated, "Today's events are yet more evidence of the bitter and irrational approach taken by the Department of Health to the issue of abortion guidance. At the very last minute the Department asked the judge for an adjournment but refused to give any reasons for a four-week delay.

"Sadly, this is the way the department has behaved all along. It has disregarded public opinion, the will of the Assembly, the Stormont health committee and even the high court, in order to pursue an agenda of widening the scope for abortion in Northern Ireland."

"A document that says nothing about counseling of women or the rights of medical staff cannot possibly provide adequate guidance to doctors. Naturally, we're pleased that Mr. Justice Treacy has granted leave for the case to proceed."

Today's removal of the original guidelines gives pro-life organizations like SPUC and Precious Life hope that the health department is becoming more willing to listen to other voices.

The health department's decision came only days after a major pro-life rally was held in downtown Belfast. On July 4 a crowd estimated at 4,000 people ralled for the fourth annual all-Ireland event, which was led by pro-life groups in the area, including Precious Life, Youth Defense and the Life Institute.

According to Youth Defense, one of the sponsoring organizations, the day-long event attracted a great deal of attention in the city. The day included a parade, which marched through the shopping district of Belfast to Custom House Square as well as speeches from pro-life leaders. Crowds also enjoyed face-painting, ballons and great music.

Ide Nic Mhathúna, of the organizing committee told Youth Defense, "We're so delighted to see that the number of people coming out to protect life is growing every year. The Rally was a great day out for everyone - a real occasion to celebrate life. And most importantly it brought people together to stand against abortion, and to become part of the important work done north and south to protect human life."

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