19/03/2008

Europe Calls On Ireland To Legalize Abortion

There has been a European call to end Ireland's constitutional ban on the termination of pregnancies.

According to the Council of Europe, all member states in the European Union should guarantee women the right to abortion.

The Council's Committee on Equal Opportunities has therefore called on Ireland to end its 'criminalisation' of abortion, claiming that the ban leads to more dangerous and clandestine methods instead of fewer abortions.

The report recommends that all 47 countries - which make up the Council of Europe - should guarantee women the right to have an abortion and also promote cheaper contraception along with improved sex education, to try to reduce the number of women seeking abortions.

The proposals are to be discussed by the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly next month.

Niall Behan, Chief Executive of the Irish Family Planning Association, said there has been a big shift in opinion on the issue of abortion in Ireland in the last 20 years although it would take time to achieve a consensus on the issue.

(DW)


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