The Safe and Legal in Ireland Campaign

The Safe and Legal in Ireland (Sli) Campaign involves a court case being brought to the European Court of Human Rights, a public awareness campaign and a national and international advocacy campaign. The three Irish women bringing the court case to the ECHR are arguing that their human rights are being violated under Article 8 which relate to the right of privacy in all family, home and personal interests, and entitlement to no public interference from any public authority in exercising this right. They also allege a breach of:

Article 3, which protects individuals from inhuman or degrading treatment. The women argue that the criminalisation of abortion harms women by stigmatising them and increasing feelings of guilt, and can result in difficulty in accessing necessary follow up care.

Article 2, which safeguards the life of an individual. The Irish Government has provided no clear guidance as to when abortion may be legally carried out under the X case, where termination of pregnancy is necessary to save a woman’s life.

Article 14, which affords rights and freedoms without discrimination. The women argue that Irish abortion law discriminates on the basis of sex and financial status. Women are treated differently from men in making decisions concerning their private and family life, and the ban imposes particular burdens on economically disadvantaged women and those who have difficulty travelling because of their age or legal status.

The three Irish women argue that these articles of the European Convention on Human Rights are being flouted by forced travel, forced childbirth, danger to the pregnant woman’s life and discrimination on the grounds of sex and financial status.

This case is the first direct challenge to Irish abortion law by a group of women. While the European Court of Human Rights does not have the authority to revise Irish law, it can find Ireland to be in violation of the human rights convention. If this were to happen, Ireland would be urged to comply with its obligations under the convention.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR CAMPAIGN:

Safe and Legal in Ireland (Sli) Campaign
P.O BOX 10740
Dublin 1

Mobile: 087 0559913

353870559913 (from outside Ireland)

email: safeandlegalinireland@eircom.net

Send this page to a friend!