– Release date: 28 July 2008
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) has today (28/07/08) confirmed that a case to challenge the current status quo on abortion – which it is supporting – has been accepted for consideration by the European Court of Human Rights.
The case, involving three women living in Ireland who travelled abroad for abortion services, was lodged in August 2005 with the Court.
The case centres around four Articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. These include Article 8 with regard 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; Article 3, which protects individuals from ‘inhuman or degrading treatment’; Article 2, which affords protection of the law to safeguard the life of an individual, and Article 14 which affords rights and freedoms without discrimination on any grounds.
The case is being supported by the IFPA, which is offering legal and research support to the three complainants.
The IFPA said it was pleased that the case was now progressing and it understands that the Government has been invited to respond to the complaints lodged by each of the three women before the end of September.
Once the Government has submitted its response, the IFPA – together with the three women and their legal team – will be invited to consider and comment on what has been presented.
The IFPA considers the grounds on which the three women are taking the case to be very strong. The organisation is hopeful that the Court will issue a positive recommendation in favour of the three women to bring pressure to bear on the Government to reform Irish abortion laws.
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For more information contact Catherine Heaney @ 01-4885808 or 087-23089835.