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Savita Halappanavar case: Irish govt must clarify stand on abortion, says Amnesty

Agencies

Posted: Nov 17, 2012 at 1117 hrs IST
Praveen and Savita Halappanavar are seen in the wedding photo from the family album in Belgaum, Karnataka. (Reuters)

London Observing that the tragic death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar illustrates a gap in Irish law, rights group Amnesty asked Ireland to ensure that its domestic policy on access to abortion is in line with international human rights law.

Amnesty International has written to Irish Minister for Health James Reilly over the issue expressing its concern.

It said Amnesty is concerned that the tragic case of Savita illustrates a gap in Irish law and policy on the most basic human rights level -- that is a woman's right to access abortion where her life is at risk.

"International human rights law is clear about the right of a woman to access a safe and legal abortion where her life is at risk," said Colm O'Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International in Ireland.

"Successive Irish governments have failed in their duty to provide the necessary clarity on how this right is protected and vindicated, leaving women in Ireland in a very vulnerable position. Government must offer this clarity without further delay," he said.

Noting this right has already been established as a Constitutional principle by the Irish Supreme Court, the body expressed concern about lack of clarity on the issue.

"Ireland has been subject to criticism from international human rights bodies for its failure to bring domestic legislation in line with international human rights principles, including a very clear ruling from the European Court of Human Rights," said Marianne Mollmann, senior policy advisor at Amnesty International Secretariat.

Savita, a 31-year old Indian dentist after doctors refused to terminate her pregnancy even after telling her that she was miscarrying.

The incident has reignited the debate over right to abortion in cases of risk in the Catholic country.

The report of the UN's Review of Ireland's human rights record in October last year contains repeated calls from UN member states to bring Ireland's domestic law in line with international human rights obligations and at the very least regulate access to life-saving abortions.

In 2011 the UN Committee Against Torture urged Ireland to clarify the scope of legal abortion through statutory law.

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Religion by Steve on 18 Nov 2012

Yet another example of how religion can destroy people's lives, literally. As for the Human Rights law, that only comes into force if you're some kind of criminal, looking to squeeze some money out of the state. A good example would be a convicted paedophile or rapist, who wants compensation for not being allowed to vote whilst in prison. Human Rights legislation is good for nothing, just like religion.

savitha's case by raja on 17 Nov 2012

It was so reckless. An insulting act against a women's rights. The DOCTORS couldn't able to take an immediate decision on this issue. The Doctors might not be aware of the law!

Incredible India ! by BenRoger on 17 Nov 2012

Indians are a strange people who always think on communal lines. Where thousands are joining in candle light marches for this hindu lady who died of medical complications, hardly a few come forward to join marches commemorating the Sikhs killed there in 1984 riots.

Savita`s Death by Ramanasree on 17 Nov 2012

I do not bother what is the Irish abortion law. What prevented Irish hospital to save Savita who has been on the process of her death and even after her repeated requests? The law is so preventing the doctor to save the mother if she is carrying and pregnant? Is Irish society and government and hospitals are so inhuman? Will they kill an Irish lady under such circumanstances so inhumanly? Does Irish nation support such gruesome killing on the name of religion? Anybody can answer and satisfy the family of Savita. May her soul rest in peace.

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