Coalition seeks liberalisation of abortion laws
A coalition comprising parliamentarians, trade unions, doctors, ethicists and the abortion industry is seeking to further liberalise abortion laws. They will push for amendments to the 1967 Abortion Act to be implemented with the Human Tissue and Embryo Bill which is to be introduced into parliament this autumn. Specifically they wish to see:
- Abortion on demand up to twelve weeks
- Nurses doing abortions
- 'Medical' (drug-induced') abortions in doctors surgeries and at home
- The same provisions in Northern Ireland
Abortion Rights is the national pro-choice campaign and was formed in 2003 by the merger of the two long-standing and influential campaigns - the National Abortion Campaign (NAC) and the Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRA).
Abortion Rights work closely with the parliamentary All Party Pro-choice and Sexual Health group and the Voice for Choice coalition of sexual health and education organisations. Voice for Choice is a coalition of the major abortion advisors and providers including Family Planning Association (FPA), BPAS, Brook, Marie Stopes International, Doctors for a Woman's Choice on Abortion, Pro-choice Forum, Reproductive Health Matters, Education for Choice, Irish Abortion Solidarity Campaign and Antenatal Results and Choices.
Abortion Rights is an active membership-based campaigning organisation. In addition to individual members, it claims the support of women's organisations, student groups including NUS and civil society organisations as well as the TUC and national trade unions including AMICUS, ASLEF, T&G, TSSA, UCU, UNISON, trade union regions, branches, sections and individual trade unionists.
