We need balanced debate on abortion

Sir — After Amnesty International’s global campaign on Ireland’s abortion law launched last June, I wrote a piece in this paper which noted the spectrum of opinions on abortion in Ireland and said: “So let’s open up the debate, but calmly, respectfully and truthfully”. In the year since then, I have continued to call for and support the airing and exchanging of views.

It was disturbing therefore to see those same words used against me in the title of Eilis O’Hanlon’s piece (14 June), ‘Will it ever be possible to have a calm, mutually respectful abortion debate?’

On June 9, Ireland was found by the UN Human Rights Committee to have violated one woman’s right to be free from cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, to privacy, and to be free from discrimination. The decision summarised the various ordeals Amanda Mellet endured and found that Ireland’s abortion laws had subjected her to “intense physical and mental suffering”.

Ireland helped create and elect this UN committee, and voluntarily accepted its mandate to hear individual complaints. Yet, for calling on Ireland to implement the committee’s decision, Ms O’Hanlon accuses me of “overwrought rhetoric”. She presents the decision as “another battering ram” in a “siege”.

Why is it that on almost every other issue we work on around the world, our naming human rights violations and asking for them to stop is okay; but not on abortion in Ireland?

Contrary to what Ms O’Hanlon says about “attacking those who have yet to be convinced”, I have consistently called for all views to be heard. Rather than “denigrating those who have doubts”, we are very interested in people’s uncertainties. This is why Amnesty International conducted detailed public polling which found the majority of people want more information on the Eighth Amendment.

Our poll found that just 5pc of people personally oppose abortion in all circumstances, though half of them — 2.5pc — would still vote to repeal the Eighth Amendment as they do not wish to impose their views on others.

It is nonsense to suggest that we are in a “new McCarthyite climate” where those opposed to abortion cannot speak. The simple fact is that groups which represent the views of just 2.5pc of the population get disproportionate space in a media climate that demands socalled ‘balance’.

Regardless, public opinion cannot be allowed dictate whether or not a state will stop violating human rights. But it is heartening to see that the overwhelming majority — 87pc according to our poll, not 60pc as Ms O’Hanlon claims — want expanded access to abortion.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director, Amnesty International Ireland Sir — Eilis O’Hanlon asks if “it will ever be possible to have a calm, mutually respectful abortion debate” and the answer is No, as long as most journalists and commentators are in favour of abortion legislation and, as she said, “admitting to having so-called family values is akin to announcing that you sometimes yearn for a return of the Third Reich”.

What does that say about Irish society? Surely having equal right to life for both mother and baby is in no way objectionable? After all equality was the catchword during the Marriage Referendum. Is it now to be abandoned in the case of the baby in the womb?

As regards “being disturbed by the prospect of abortion coming to be regarded as trivial, the easy answer to every maternal crisis”, how does Ms O’Hanlon argue against this when viewing the situation in Britain and every country where abortion has been legalised?

Almost 200,000 abortions are carried out in Britain annually and she should be aware that ‘limits and rules’ are not worth the paper they are written on when abortion becomes legal.

As one who sees the Eighth Amendment as something to be proud of in that every effort is made to save both lives, I have, like Ms O’Hanlon regarding her opinion in favour of its appeal, yet to see a compelling argument for its removal, and I sincerely hope that most people will speak up and ensure that we retain the right to life of the unborn child. Mary Stewart,

Ardeskin, Donegal Town