Philip Lynn, blogpost
The Northern Ireland (NI) Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, has used her platform to support the inclusion of abortion in the mandatory school curriculum. This is the moment for Education Minister Peter Weir to step up to the plate and reject this proposal.
In her submission to the Northern Ireland Office’s (NIO) public consultation, Koulla Yiasouma argued in support of the UN’s CEDAW recommendations, namely that the abortion regulations must:
“Make age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights a compulsory component of curriculum for adolescents, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion, and monitor its implementation…”
We, at SPUC, have pointed out numerous times that the imposition of abortion on Northern Ireland would have far reaching social consequences, extending far beyond promoting and normalising the killing of unborn children. This assertion is, unfortunately, being proved correct.
According to these recommendations, schools will not be able to opt out of the promotion of abortion to underage girls, regardless of the school’s character or ethos. Furthermore, the Gillick Ruling (1985) also means that there is no requirement that parents be informed that their daughter is seeking an abortion.
Following the imposition of the “Abortion Framework” on the 31st March, responsibility for implementing the recommendations of the CEDAW report have fallen to the local Executive; in this case to the Department of Education under Education Minister, Peter Weir (DUP).
We call Mr Weir’s attention to the fact that 79% of respondents to the NIO’s consultation opposed any change to our previously held pro-life laws, that not a single Northern Ireland MP voted for these regulations, and the fact that many of his constituents support his party on the basis of their pro-life stance.
The current policy of Mr Weir’s party is the repeal of the abortion legislation contained in Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act. We ask Mr Weir to rise to the challenge made by these proposals: act in accordance with his party’s policy, refuse to include abortion in the school curriculum, and seek the repeal of Section 9.