Does the human right to have an abortion trump democracy?
AFTER the Republic of Ireland’s vote on abortion, the liberal elite has called on Theresa May to follow this up with some kind of diktat to Northern Ireland. However, the Northern Ireland Assembly voted in 2016 not to change its abortion law. The unelected Baroness Chakrabarti proclaims that human rights trump democracy. No, they don’t. We might just as well not vote for anything and allow our wet liberal Establishment to ride roughshod over us.
MALCOLM BROCKMAN, Maidstone, Kent.
BARONESS Chakrabarti has said the human right to have an abortion trumps democracy, but what rights have the unborn? Are they not human, too?
ALAN SIMPSON, London E11.
THE question of abortion laws in Northern Ireland is a matter for its Assembly, not Westminster. Would Westminster interfere in a devolved matter in Scotland? The majority in Northern Ireland don’t want abortion. The referendum has no more connection to Northern Ireland than one in France
G. S. DICKSON, PORTADOWN, Co. Armagh.
THE referendum result on abortion laws in the Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly overturned the abortion ban, but I found the celebrations and party atmosphere tasteless. Abortion is not an easy choice even if it is easily available and I feel much sympathy for any family faced with having to make the decision.
JaneT Cole, swindon, Wilts. PRO-LIFERS lament the result of Ireland’s latest referendum on abortion laws, but many reluctantly agree that in some circumstances, such as a fatal foetal abnormality and risks to the woman’s health, abortion can be justified. That is what the change in the law is about. Whether or not you consider abortion immoral, to ban it is impractical and dangerous because lack of access to a safe termination has led to women risking their health and even death by trying to a terminate their own pregnancy. emilie lamPlougH, Trowbridge, Wilts. THE issue of abortion always seems to concentrate on a woman’s right to dictate what happens to her body. The child has no rights in deciding whether or not it is born. Yes, there should be situations where abortion is legal, but as in many areas of society, everyone is after their rights, but few are prepared to face up to their responsibilities. If a pregnancy is unexpected or unwanted makes no difference. A new human life deserves better.
RHoD TiBBles, norwich. I WOULD say to Ireland: Be careful what you wish for. When the law was changed to allow abortions in the UK, we were told it would only be to save the life of the mother, where the baby was unable to live and in cases of rape. Now, it is believed that one in five pregnancies end in termination and some women have had several. Is that what Ireland voted for? sue saXon, Rossendale, lancs. I AM delighted at the referendum result in the Irish Republic. Sanity reigned and no longer will thousands of women have to flee to Britain for an abortion. Exporting women to have abortions is inhumane and uncivilised. This issue should open the door for that other contentious issue: assisted dying/suicide for those who wish to end their lives with a modicum of control.
saRa sTaRkeY, Tonbridge, kent.