Will Ireland name new abortion law after Indian dentist Savita?

LONDON: Activists in Ireland are calling for the country’s new prochoice law to be named after Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist whose death in 2012 galvanised the ‘Yes’ campaign and who became the face of the movement ahead of Friday’s historic referendum.

As a result of the nearly 70-30 decision, the 8th amendment of Ireland’s Constitution will be repealed and replaced with an “enabling provision for the regulation of termination of pregnancy”. Leading Ireland-based campaigners said they will support a move to have the new law named after Savita, whose Karnataka-based father, Andanappa Yalagi, has called for it to be referred to as “Savita’s Law”. Yalagi told the Irish Times: “We have one last request, that the new law, be called ‘Savita’s Law’. It should be named after her.” Together For Yes, an umbrella group representing pro-repeal organisations, said at a news conference in Dublin that it would support naming the new law after Savita. The government did not immediately comment.the group called on the government to start work on legislation.

Orla O’connor, chair of the campaign, said, “The people have spoken. We were here to repeal the 8th (amendment) and we did.”

Moving tributes were paid to Halappanavar at a memorial in Dublin after the referendum resulted in a resounding “Yes”, reflecting changes in the Catholic country that until recently resisted reforms such as samesex marriage.

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