63 abortions were recorded as having taken place in Health and Social Care (HSC) hospitals in Northern Ireland in the period 2020/21, 41 more than in the previous 12 months, the latest Department of Health figures have shown.
In 2019, the UK Government decriminalised abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy in Northern Ireland, overriding the democratic will of Stormont, which has continued to resist abortion.
Last April, UK MPs then voted 431 to 89 to allow NI Secretary Brandon Lewis to directly impose abortion services on Northern Ireland. Mr Lewis has since ordered Stormont to introduce full abortion services no later than 31 March 2022.
SPUC has repeatedly stated its opposition to this “illegitimate power grab, which undermines the democratic viability of the sitting Executive” – and last year told the NI High Court that it was “screamingly obvious” that Stormont has “no duty” to impose abortion on Northern Ireland.
Liam Gibson, SPUC Policy & Legal Officer, said: “We believe that the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland was illegitimate and unconstitutional. We also believe that Mr Lewis acted unlawfully last July when he directed the health department to devote more of its resources to providing abortions. That’s why SPUC is seeking a judicial review of his 2021 Regulations.
“We’re still waiting for the result of that case. At present, the Northern Ireland health system doesn’t have the resources to perform late-term abortions, and the lack of consensus in the devolved government has created a political impasse.”
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “These latest figures are an ominous sign of what is to come if Westminster has its way and expands abortion throughout Northern Ireland.
“Abortion is not healthcare, but a violent act that results in the death of a child. Every one of these 63 babies lost to abortion was a precious person who had a right to life.
“Should Westminster be successful in its imposition of abortion in Northern Ireland, we can expect this death toll to increase rapidly. This cannot be allowed to happen.”
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