We need X Case legislation that respects women’s dignity and rights

Published: Sunday, April 21, 2013

In response to the recent verdict of the inquest into the death of Savita Halappanavar Orla O'Connor, Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland said,

'It is clear from the evidence given at the inquest that restrictive abortion laws in Ireland cost Savita her life. Expert testimony revealed that she would be alive today if she had been given a termination earlier, when she had requested it. Women should be listened to and properly consulted in relation to all their options and they should have the say. It was clear from the inquest that Savita had no say in her maternity care.'

'The inquest also highlighted the urgent need for legislation to clarify what constitutes a real and substantial risk to the life of the woman so that doctors do not have to wait until a woman gets extremely ill before intervention. Savita's case shows up the unworkable and dangerous distinction made in Irish law between the life and health of the woman, a distinction that does not exist in other European countries.'

Responding to reports that the draft legislation will require up to six doctors to determine whether a woman is suicidal to qualify for a termination, Orla O'Connor, Director of the NWCI said,

'Ireland is under an obligation to provide effective and accessible procedures to establish a woman's right to an abortion under the A, B and C v Ireland case. A requirement of six doctors to determine this right in suicidal cases is clearly not meeting that obligation and an insult to women. We need legislation that is workable and respects the dignity of the woman. We must trust women to make informed decisions about their care and normal clinical practice to prevail in the number of doctors required to make the assessment.'

The NWCI is calling for the draft legislation to decriminalise abortion and remove the chilling effect that negatively impacts on doctors and women and to put in place accessible and effective procedures that respect the autonomy and wishes of women.

For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, National Women's Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 858 9104.