ABORTION : a referendum in Ireland to extend the conditions of access

Published the 27.09.2017 at 17h33

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This is one of the last countries in Europe to impose such restrictions on abortion. But may be more for a long time. The irish government announced on Tuesday that a referendum be held to open the right to the voluntary interruption of pregnancy (VIP). The vote will take place in may or June 2018.

Currently, abortion is allowed only if the continuation of the pregnancy threatens the woman a “real and substantial likelihood” that must be justified by two doctors. The first minister Leo Varadkar, who came to power in June, which ruled that the law ” too restrictive “.

Amend the Constitution

Abortion has always been illegal in Ireland, but its prohibition has been inserted in the Constitution in 1983, after having gathered 67 % of the vote in a referendum.

In 2013, Ireland left the small circle of european countries where abortion is prohibited but it is not authorized in case of danger to the mother. Rape, incest, or deformity of the foetus are not legal reasons for an abortion, and such an intervention constitutes a crime punishable by a sentence of fourteen years in prison. Result : thousands of Irish go every year in Great Britain or abroad to perform an abortion legally.
This announcement comes while a event is being organised on Saturday in Dublin to ask for the legalization of abortion. On 20 September, the militant pro-abortion had already marched in front of the irish Parliament.

In Europe, five countries do not allow ABORTION, except in exceptional circumstances : Poland, Ireland, Cyprus, Andorra and Malta.