Pro-life human rights advocates in Northern Ireland have announced their plan to challenge the United Kingdom in court for its imposition of abortion on the historically pro-life nation. The two main groups collaborating to fund and spearhead the legal challenge are the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), and the Centre for Bioethical Reform Northern Ireland (CBR NI), along with a strong legal cohort.
Specifically, the case will challenge the UK’s push of the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021. In sweeping disregard for the protection of vulnerable Northern Irish children, the legislation authorized the nation’s Secretary, Brandon Lewis, to order the First and Deputy First Ministers and various health, justice, and education government officials to implement a “fully-funded abortion service.”
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s (SPUC) political officer in Northern Ireland, Liam Gibson, said the Regulations are “nothing less than an existential challenge to the very existence of the pro-life movement in Northern Ireland.”
John Deighan, SPUC’s deputy CEO added, “These are the most challenging times the pro-life movement has ever faced in Northern Ireland, as London attempts to impose the most extreme abortion regime in Europe on an unwilling population.”
READ: Lack of staff leads to suspension of abortion pill distribution in Northern Ireland
In addition to being a fatal proposal for untold numbers of preborn children who will be legally targeted for death under the Regulations, Gibson points out that the “illegitimate and unconstitutional Regulations” are “a disgraceful power grab” by the UK government. Gibson foresees that if allowed to take place, this “power grab” will cost “thousands of innocent children” their lives.
Pastor Clive Johnston, a member of SPUC, has already issued a Pre-Action Protocol to the UK government, which claims that the UK’s imposition of the abortion regulations are legally outside the powers of the Secretary of State. SPUC and CBR NI continue to strategize the legal challenge, including their hopes of fundraising at least £100,000 to cover court expenses. Gibson also offered a challenge to his fellow Northern Irish citizens, saying, “Men and women from all political backgrounds, faiths and traditions who view the right to life as the fundamental human right need to stand up and demand that the London government listens.”
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