Irish government forms panel to review abortion law
November 30, 2011
The Irish government will create a blue-ribbon committee to review the country’s laws regarding abortion, in response to a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights questioning Ireland’s ban on abortion. Health minister James Reilly will include medical and legal experts on the panel, which will report its recommendations to the government by the middle of next year. The commission could take the first step toward legalizaton of abortion in Ireland. Last December the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ireland’s ban on abortion violates the rights of women whose lives could be endangered by a continued pregnancy. The court upheld the right of the state to restrict or even prohibit abortion, but said that provisions must be made for pregnant women whose health might be at risk.
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Further information:
- Minister sets up expert group on abortion rights (Irish Times)
- What the European court said on Irish abortion law (Analysis) (CWN, 12/17/10)
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