The UN Committee is calling for a referendum to overturn protection for Irish unborn children

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has called for a referendum on abortion in Ireland.

Following a two day hearing in Geneva, the 17-member committee stated its concern at "Ireland's ... legislation on abortion." It has called for a referendum to repeal Article 40.3.3 which protects the right to life of the unborn.

The committee also called for a revision of the 2013 Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, claiming it is unclear "what constitutes a threat to a woman’s life." [Irish Times, 22 June]

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• Belfast court reserves judgement in landmark case [BBC, 17 June]
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• Department of Health Abortion Statistics [Department of Health, June 2015]
• Terminally ill children let down by poor end-of-life care [Royal College of Nursing, 23 June]
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• D&C procedure may increase risk of preterm birth [Yahoo, 17 June]
• Woman dies as risks of IVF overlooked [ANSA, 17 June]
• Birth control in drinking water: A fertility catastrophe in the making? [NCRegister, 16 June]
• National Crime Agency: 750,000 UK men are sexually attracted to children [Daily Mail, 20 June]
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• Petition calls for child destruction past 28 weeks to be charged as murder [Huffington Post, 18 June]