Senator Bacik Welcomes European Court of Human Rights Judgement in ABC Case

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Senator for Dublin University
Thursday, 16th December, 2010

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS JUDGMENT IN ABC CASE

Senator Ivana Bacik has today welcomed the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the ABC case, upholding the application of Applicant C and finding that her rights under the European Convention on Human Rights were violated by the Irish State's failure to specify the conditions under which she could obtain a lawful abortion.

Senator Bacik said:

“This judgment does not change the substance of Irish law, since Applicant C sought an abortion because she was suffering from cancer and the continuance of her pregnancy could have endangered her life. Under the X case test, she should have been entitled to an abortion here; but she could not get clarification from any doctor as to the conditions under which she could have had the lawful abortion here. The European Court has therefore ruled that we must have greater clarity in our law, through passing legislation which will ensure that the right to a life-saving abortion is put into effect. I very much welcome the ruling and urge the Government to introduce legislation now, as Labour has already recommended, to provide clarity about the conditions under which the X case judgment may be implemented by doctors. ”

ENDS