MY Body My Rights

Amnesty International Ireland notes the reported comments of An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny with regard to the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) in the case taken against Ireland by Amanda Mellet. An Taoiseach is correct when he points out that the decision of the committee is not binding in the same manner as a decision of the European Court of Human Rights. The system of international human rights law as developed by states, including Ireland, does not have courts that can enforce compliance with the treaties.

Ireland’s prohibition and criminalisation of abortion services violated the human rights of a woman living in Ireland and caused her “intense physical and mental suffering” according to a ground-breaking ruling from the United Nations Human Rights Committee—a first for any international human rights court or committee.

Ireland must take heed of the recommendations made as part of its Universal Periodic Review today, particularly in relation to our harsh abortion laws, said Amnesty International. Eighteen states made recommendations calling on Ireland to expand access to abortion, decriminalise abortion, provide women and girls with full information on abortion services, and amend its Constitution to allow for such reforms. This compares with six recommendations on abortion in its first review in 2011.

Amnesty International tentatively welcomes inclusion of Citizens’ Assembly on Eighth Amendment in Programme for Partnership

DUBLIN, 5th May 2016 - Amnesty International Ireland today welcomed reports that the draft “Programme for Partnership” document agreed between Fine Gael and Independents, if forming a minority government, includes a commitment to establishing a Citizens’ Assembly on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

Demonstration outside Government Buildings to show abortion cannot be ignored in government formation

Tell the next Irish Government that it MUST expand access to abortion

Ireland’s laws on abortion violate the human rights of women and girls. And people in Ireland want that to end. 87% want expanded access to abortion. 69% think this should be a priority for the next government and 73% want a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment.

• Walter Parewijck
• Joseph Karanja
• Dr. Emily Mcmanus
• John Nyamu Muchai
• Dr. Peadar O'Grady (Child Psychiatrist)
• Ismat Saeed
• Dr. Ross Kelly
• Justns Eze
• Dr. Mary Favier
• Ashalata Merllerpu
• Rosa Corr
• Grenze
• Dr. Ciara Flynn
• Dr. Shira Ferdi
• Jeannine Webster (Midwife)
• Mario Samvaidina
• Dr. Dwyer Marion
• Ernesto David
• Ana Rakovac
• Rupak Sarkar
• Dr.

• 69% call for expansion of Ireland’s abortion law to be a priority issue for the next government (when ‘don’t knows’ and those who were neutral are excluded)
• 90% believe that women’s health must be the priority as part of any reform (when ‘don’t knows’ and those who were neutral are excluded)
• 68% describe current law as “cruel and inhumane”  (when ‘don’t knows’ and those who were neutral are excluded)

Law reforms would be ‘important first steps’ to reaching global human rights standards

7 in 10 Northern Ireland people back abortion law reform - poll

Proposed amendments to Northern Ireland’s law on abortion would be “important first steps” to bringing the region into line with international human rights standards and protecting women and girls’ fundamental rights, Amnesty International has said.