Irish abortion survey finds majority of people support decriminalisation
Source: The Guardian
Irish abortion survey finds majority of people support decriminalisation
Amnesty poll reveals shift in attitudes with 65% saying they want abortion
decriminalised and 81% favouring some liberalisation of legislation
Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent
Wednesday 8 July 2015 11.30 BST
Two-thirds of Irish people want abortion decriminalised, according to a survey that signals a major shift in views on a womans right to choose in a country that still outlaws most terminations.
Eight out of 10 people polled for Amnesty International favoured some liberalisation of the law, and 65% said abortion should be decriminalised.
Two years ago, Irelands parliament, the Dáil, passed legislation allowing for abortion in extremely limited cases of medical emergencies or when there is risk of suicide if pregnancy goes to full term. Under the law, doctors and medical professionals have the right ultimately to determine if a womans life is at risk in these circumstances.
Abortion remains unavailable, for instance, to Irish women who are raped or whose pregnancies are doomed as a result of foetal abnormalities.
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/08/irish-abortion-survey-majority-people-support-decriminalisation