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All-Party Pro-Life Group launched at Northern Ireland Assembly : 5th Nov 07
An Historic Day for Northern Ireland with Members of Different Political Parties Coming Together United in the Core Belief—the Protection of Human Life from Conception Until Natural Death
Bernadette Smyth,Director of Northern Ireland's pro-life organisation, Precious Life, spoke at the official launch of the ‘All-Party Pro-Life Group of the Northern Ireland Assembly’ on Friday 2nd November. The keynote speaker at the event was Dr Alveda C. King - the niece of the American Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King. All Assembly members had been invited to attend, together with Church leaders, medical and legal professionals; and pro-life groups from across the UK and Ireland.
The event in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings was hosted by the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson and the SDLP’s Pat Ramsey. Other speakers were Professor Patricia Casey, Professor of Psychiatry; Mrs. Johanna Higgins, Barrister; and Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill, Consultant Psychiatrist. The keynote speaker, Dr. Alveda King spoke about her own abortion, and why she now speaks out for the civil rights of unborn children. She also spoke about her role as national spokeswoman for ‘Silent No More Awareness’ - a campaign to make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women, men, and their families. There were also messages of support from politicians in Westminster and Washington.
The Assembly Pro-life Group is made up of members of the SDLP, DUP, UUP, Alliance Party, and Independent MLA, Dr Kieran Deeny. At the group's inaugural meeting on 9th October they pledged to vote in support of a motion against abortion which had tabled in the Assembly. The motion was passed on Monday 22nd October. The All Party Group has also affirmed they will do everything within their power to oppose any attempt to extend the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.
Precious Life's Bernadette Smyth was instrumental in setting up the All Party Group after holding a series of meetings during the summer with MPs and Assembly Members. She said “Friday 2nd November will be an historic day at the Assembly with members of different political parties coming together united in the core belief - the protection of human life from conception until natural death. With the help of Precious Life and the pro-life movement in Northern Ireland, the All-Party Pro-Life Group will work within the Assembly to promote this vital cause.” Precious Life.
A report by UK MPs recommends that the requirement for two doctors to authorise an abortion should be abolished, while the 24-week upper time limit [which applies only to abortions for the weakest grounds] should not be reduced. The committee for science and technology also advocates that nurses and midwives should be allowed to perform early abortions. BBC. Precious Life.
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